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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

PRESENTED  BY 

PROF.  CHARLES  A.  KOFOID  AND 

MRS.  PRUDENCE  W.  KOEOID 


BIG   GAME 

HUNTING 

IN  AFRICA  AND  OTHER  LANDS 

The  appearance,  habits,  traits  of  character,  and  every 

detail  of 

WILD  ANIMAL  LIFE 

with 

Thrilling,  Exciting,  Daring  and  Danger- 
ous Exploits  of 

Hunters  of  Big  Game 
in  Wildest  Africa 

and  other  parts  of  the  World 

By 

Prof.  AXEL  LUNDEBERG    and    FREDERICK  SEAMOUR 

Noted  Auth«x}a.tid-Tra.veier  Renowned  Hunter  and  Naturalist 

RICHLY  ILLUSTRATED 

With  over  200  Half-Tone  Engravings 

Made  especially  for  this  volume,  many  of  them  from  photographs 
of  wild  animals  taken  in  their  native  African  homes 


Copyright 

1910 

By  D.  B.  McCuTdy 


The   halftone    engravings    from    Photographs    or   drawings    in   this    book,    not    specially 
copyrighted  by  others,  are  protected  by  the   above   copyright   notice  by   D.   B.    McCurdy. 

ALL   RIGHTS   RESER\^D. 


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AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 


It  has  been  the  aim  of  the  authors  of  this  vokime  to  produce  a  work  not 
only  highly  entertaining,  but  also  one  of  the  highest  educational  value.  To 
combine  the  m.ost  exciting  experiences,  thrilling  adventures,  daring  deeds 
and  dangerous  exploits  in  the  life  of  great  hunters,  explorers  and  naturalists, 
with  the  interesting  and  valuable  facts  of  Natural  History.  A  combination 
in  which  the  reader  may  learn  all  he  wishes  to  known  about  wild  animals — 
their  appearance,  habits,  traits  of  character,  and  every  detail  of  their  wild 
life,  and  at  the  same  time  be  highly  entertained  by  stories  of  adventure,  travel 
and  big  game  hunting. 

Interwoven  with  the  most  thrilling  personal  experiences  and  fascinating 
stories  are  given  accurate  and  thorough  observations  of  every  form  of  wild 
animal  life.  In  this  way  we  have  tried  to  produce  an  interesting  story  book, 
which  at  the  same  time  contains,  in  most  popular  form,  a  series  of  natural 
history  studies  of  more  value  than  can  be  found  in  any  text  book.  We  trust 
we  have  succeeded  in  making  a  book  that,  while  highly  entertaining  to  young 
readers,  is  not  lacking  in  educational  value. 

In  describing  the  animals  we  have  avoided  the  use  of  scientific  terms,  and 
have  used  the  most  simple  language,  so  that  young  people,  and  those  who 
have  made  no  special  study  of  zoology  will  understand  and  appreciate  it 
as  readily  as  the  student  or  scholar;  that  children  may  read  and  study  and 
enjoy  it  as  well  as  the  adult  members  of  the  family.  The  subject  of  wild 
animal  life  is  especially  attractive  to  young  people,  and  no  study  can  be 
more  elevating  and  ennobling.  Nothing  can  be  more  instructive,  or  more 
certainly  enlarge  and  broaden  the  mind. 

Whether  or  not  the  saying  be  true  that  "man  and  animals  are  kin,"  we 
believe  the  reading  of  this  volume  will  greatly  benefit  the  human  mind,  as 
well  as  give  it  genuine  enjoyment  and  pleasure,  by  bringing  it  into  closer 
acquaintance  with  God's  Animal  Kingdom.  The  reader  will  be  especially 
pleased  with  tlie  numerous  illustrations,  which  are  of  unusual  interest  and 


VI 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 

partly  on  first-hand  information  received  from  well-known  naturalists.  All 
sensational  features  are  excluded.  Nothing  but  fully  authenticated  facts  is  told. 
It  has  been  the  author's  ambition  and  effort  to  produce  a  work  on  the 
unfortunately  soon  extinct  wonderful  animal  world  of  Africa  that  w^ould,  so 
to  say,  perpetuate  this  vanishing  feature  of  our  globe  in  word  and  picture. 
May  this  magnificent  African  panorama  become  a  welcome  guest  in  every 
American  home,  and  may  it  furnish  our  growing  generation  with  an  invig- 
orating and  wholesome  spiritual  nourishment  and  be  an  incitement  tO'  brave 
and  noble  deeds  and  love  of  nature  both  in  young  and  old. 

AXEL  LUNDEBERG. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

The  Bear.  The  brown  bear  of  Europe. — Desperate  fight  with  man-eating  grizzly — 
American  black  bear — Hunting  bears  with  dogs — How  the  polar  bear  catches  seals.  . 

The  Beaver.  A  lumberman  and  mason — -How  and  why  it  builds  a  dam;  How  he  shingles 
the  roof  and  plasters  the  floor  of  his  house — Government  of  a  Beaver  town — His 
secret  chamber  and  why  he  builds  it 

ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


Nairobi,  the  Great  Outfitting  Point.  Hunting  expeditions  or  caravan  parties  arrive 
and  depart  daily — Porters  loaded  with  trophies  of  the  chase — European  and 
Hindu  merchants    

Hospitable  Planters  of  the  Hunter's  Paradise.  Great  estates — Juja  farm,  20,000  acres 
— E.  W.  Jackson,  Sir  Alfred  Pease,  William  N.  McMillan  royal  entertainers — • 
Eoosevelt  pleased   with   their  kindness   and   help 

Beauties  of  the  Mount  Kenia  Eegion,  Eastern  Limits  of  the  Hunt,  Gorgeous  colors 
in  blossoms,  groves  of  wild  olives — Granite  spires  swarming  with  little  gray  mon- 
keys— 'Safe  from  the  wild  beasts — Glorious  cloud  effects — A  laud  of  surprises — 
Chosen  home  of  the  rhinoceros — The  shy  and  pretty   Colobus  monkey 

Tracking,  Attacking  and  Killing  the  Big  Game.  Distinguishing  the  spoor,  or  tracks,  of 
lion,   elephant,  buffalo,   rhino,   hippo   and   antelope 

Tracking  Big  Game  by  Their  Droppings  and  Browsings.  These,  with  the  story  of  the 
spoor,  lead  the  hunter  to  his  quarry — Different  signs  on  trees  and  shrubbery  left 
'by  the  elephant,  rhinoceros,  buffalo  and  antelope 

Charms  of  the  Lion  Chase.  Human  wit  against  animal  instinct — Usually  minds  his 
own  business  unless  attacked,  but  most  wise  and  uncertain  of  big  beasts — 
Comparative  advantages  of  riding  the  lion,  or  hunting  him  afoot — His  whirlwind 
rush  pronounced  by  hunters  the  "swiftest  thing  on  earth" 

Blind  Charge  of  the  Black  Rhinoceros.  Does  not  wait  to  be  attacked — Tears  through 
whole  caravans — Almost  blind,  but  among  the  first  to  scent  "tainted  air" — 
Loves  to  lurk  in  dark  places 

Terrific  Onslaught  of  the  Buffalo.  The  hereditary  foe  of  the  lion — Knows  he  is  favored 
meat  for  the  king  of  beasts — One  of  the  most  tenacious  of  life  among  the  beasts.  . 

Sable  Antelope.  The  great  dog  killer — Also  sometimes  drives  his  spear-like  horns 
through    the    hunter 's    body 

Hartbeests  and  Gnus.  Their  w^onderful  staying  qualities — No  horse  can  compare  with 
them — Shot  through  the  lungs,  they  still  gallop  out  of  sight — White  bearded 
wildeibeest — Jackson's  hartbeest — Coke's  hartbeest  and  other  varieties  common 
to    the    Eoosevelt    hunting    grounds 

viii 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  ix 

NEW  AFRICA. 

In  Black  and  White.  Scattering  villages  of  Wanytka — Generally  agricultural,  but  some- 
times   dangerous — Murder   of   Thomas   London   and   execution    of   natives 

Wakamba,  Largest  Tribe  of  East  Africa.  Farmers  and  herdsmen  and  only  tribe  to  hold 
their   own   against    the   warlike   Masai 

The  Warlike  Masai.  Prowess  as  lion  hunters — Dance  in  honor  of  a  young  man  who 
killed  a  lion  armed  only  with  a  spear — Gamblers,  like  other  black  men 

The  Kikuyu.     An  unreliable  tribe  between  Nairobi  and  Mount  Kenia 

Naked  Tribes  at  the  Head  of  Victoria  Nyanza.  Bronze  Models  of  physical  perfection 
— Moral    and   peaceable    people 

The  Nandi  Tribe.  Stole  telegraph  wire  for  bracelets  and  earrings  and  railroad  bolts 
for   spear   heads 

Native  Kingdom  of  Uganda.  A  w^ell  organized  state  under  the  protection  of  Great 
Britain — The  Japanese  of  Africa  and  their  king — A  land  of  cotton,  cocoa,  coffee, 
oranges,  lemons,  pineapples  and  general  fertility — People  eager  for  knowledge... 

White  Belt.  British,  Germans,  Americans  and  Boers — From  Nairobi  to  Port  Florence 
a  region  of  farms  and  plantations — Nakuru,  the  chief  Boer  colony — Old-time  foes 
peaceful  farmers    

Great  Scenic  Section  of  the  Uganda  Eailway.  Eises  over  two  thousand  feet  the  first 
twenty-four  miles 

Escarpment  Station  Overlooking  Great  Rift  Valley,  1,500  Feet  Below.  A  railroad 
pitching  over  a,  cliff — Valley  of  volcanic  hills  and  craters — A  country  of  escarp- 
ments, or  abrupt  land  pitches — A  slumbering  volcano — Old  rope  lift  for  travelers 
to    this    weird    region 

On  to  Kijabe,  Well  Named  "The  Wind."  A  bleak  station — Ride  of  the  Eoosevelt 
party  on  the  cow  catcher  from  Kikuyu — ^Shoot  Colobus  monkeys  near  Kijabe — 
Eoosevelt   visits  the  African  Inland   Mission 

Lovely  and  Mysterious  Lake  Naivasha  Beyond.  Bright  blossoms  on  its  bosom — In 
its  midst  an  almost  submerged  crater — The  home  of  myriad  of  water  fowl — Sur- 
rounded by  big  game  and  great  herds  of  sheep  and  goats — Its  islands  great 
breeding   grounds   for  herons 

Government  Breeding  Farm  for  Zebras  Near  Lake  Naivasha.  Efforts  to  solve  the 
horse  problem  in  Africa  by  producing  a  zebra  hybrid 

Nakuru  and  Its  Charming  Lake.  A  rich  grass  country  surrounding  a  salt  lake — Along 
the  Mau  escarpment  and  over  twenty-seven  huge  viaducts  built  by  American 
engineers — A    country    of    Boer    farmers 

From  Fort  Ternan  to  Port  Florence.  Last  section  of  Uganda  Eailroad  through  a 
swampy   but    fertile    country 

The  Approach  to  Port  Florence  and  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza  Disappointing.  Port 
Florence,  a  transfer  station  from  railroad  to  steamer 

Big  Hunting  Grounds  to  the  North.  Along  the  Nzoia  Eiver  and  around  the  southern 
base  of  Mount  Elgon — A  famous  lion  country — Eiding  dowm  His  Kingship — Herds 
of  giraffe  and  Jackson's     hartbeest — Following  a  lion  into  cover 

Across  the  Lake  to  Entebbe.  British  capital  of  the  Uganda  Protectorate — A  carefully 
planned  city — Charming  location  and  surroundings  of  "The  Chair" — Shores  blaz- 
ing with  color — Island  gems  in  the  blue  lake 

The  Sleeping  Sickness.  Beautiful  district  densely  populated  by  natives  eight  years  ago 
now  devastated— Laboratory  and  hospital  at  Entebbe — Treatment  of  the  disease — 
Its  inoculator,  the  tsetse  fly — Its  symptoms  and  mortality — 'Koch's  investigations 

Eoosevelt 's  Host  and  Hostess  at  Entebbe.  .Judge  George  F.  M.  Ennis,  head  of  the 
judicial  system  of  the  Uganda  Protectorate,  and  his  wife  (nee  Miss  Ethel  Kirk- 
land  of  Chicago) — Formal  reception  by  Sir  Hesketh  Bell,  the  governor — Home 
entertaining  by  Mrs.  Ennis,  Entebbe's  only  American — Roosevelt's  God-speed 
toward  the  Nile  and  civilization 


X  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

Lion  Hunting  in  Africa.     Eoosevelt  meets  the  King  of  the  African  Forests  in  his  na- 
tive jungle — Three  lions  bagged  in  one  day- — Interesting  facts  about  the  lion 103 

The  Mountain  Lion.  The  mountain  lion,  a  savage  enemy  to  horses  and  sheep — A  moun- 
tain lion  cries  when  caught  with  a  lasso  and  shot 127 

The  African  Buffalo.  The  delights  of  the  buffalo  hunt  as  experienced  by  Mr.  Eoosevelt 
and  other  sportsmen — His  first  encounter  with  this  ferocious  animal — The  story  of 
the  buffalo    '.131 

Story  of  the  Fossa.  Largest  flesh-eating  animal  of  Madagascar — Species  of  the  cat 
family — Its    long    tail    and    fierce    disposition 14.5 

Hunting  the  Elephant.  Elephant  charges  ex-President — His  narrow  escape  from  death — 
Dangers  and  excitement  of  the  elephant  hunt — The  story  of  the  elephant 148 

The  Ship  of  the  Desert.  The  camel  not  a  wild  animal,  but  African — The  carrier  of  com- 
merce of  Northern  Africa — Lives  for  many  days  without  food  and  drink — How  the 
camel  is  loaded — A  caravan  in  the  desert 166 

The  Scavenger  Hyena.  Kermit  rides  down  a  hyena — Habits  of  this  carrion-eating  beast — 
The  scavengers  of  the  velt  and  steppes 175 

The  Wild  Sheep.  Eoosevelt  hunting  the  big  horn — A  leap  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
down  a  precipice — Sheep  on  ' '  the  roof  of  the  world ' ' — Wild  sheep  playing  hide  and 
seek   with   the    natives 179 

The  Mungoose.  Where  found  in  Africa — An  all-around  fighter — Hater  of  snakes — Kills 
a  poisonous  cobra — Clears  Cuba  and  Porto  Eieo  of  rats 185 

The  Caracal,  or  African  Lynx.  A  sportsman's  stories  about  the  African  lynx — Tamed 
c^bs — The  Ivnx  catching  jack  rabbit — Its  valuable  fur — It  catches  birds  on  the  wing — 
"Lynx-eyeci"     191 

Hippopotamus  Hunting.  Colonel  Eoosevelt 's  thrilling  adventure  and  narrow  escape  on 
Lake  Xaivasha — He  kills  two  huge  hippopotami 195 

The  Wild  Boar.  Boars  often  mistaken  for  lions — Dangerous  sport  for  hunters — Furious 
charge  on  horses,  elephants  and  camels — Fight  between  a  wild  hog  and  a  snake.... 205 

The  Porcupine.     A  nocturnal  animal,  bristling  with  long  spines — Will   not  run  from  foe — ■ 
Eolls   itself   in   a   ball   when   attacked — Cannot   show   its   quills — Savages   use   quills 
as    'decorations 211 

Story  of  the  Wapi.  A  strange  animal  discovered  in  Central  Africa — Has  the  body  of  a 
horse,  head  of  a  giraffe  and  stripes  like  a  zebra 215 

The  African  Jackal.  The  ancestor  of  our  dog — Hunts  at  night — Harmless,  but  kills  chick- 
ei^s,  lambs,  rabbits  and  small  antelopes 219 

The  Monkey  Family.  Eoosevelt  bags  a  white-tailed  Colobus  monkey — Facts  about  this 
curious  animal — The  gorilla,  the  chimpanzee  and  other  more  or  less  man-like  apes — 
Africa    the    paradise    of    the    monkey 223 

The  Gorilla.  Habits — Comparison  with  man — Its  distinct  eyebrows  and  lashes — Mouth, 
nose  and  cheeks  marked  with  wrinkles — Protruding  jaw — A  "bull-necked"  animal — 
Method    of    killing    gorillas 251 

The  Story  of  the  Lemur.  Closely  related  to  the  monkey — Many  varieties — Native  of 
Madagascar— Arboreal  habits — Queer  eyes  and  ghostlike  looks 255 

Story  of  the  Mole.  The  most  marvelous  of  all  burrowing  animals — Lives  underground — • 
Has   remarkable   hands — A  look   into   its  burrow •. .262 

Hunting  the  Rhinoceros.  Colonel  Eoosevelt  reported  killed  by  a  rhinoceros — Exciting 
fight  with  this  ferocious  beast — The  natives  praise  Bwana  Tumbo — Interesting  facts 
about    the    rhinocei'os 267 

Wart-Hog's  Native  Haunts.  Mr.  Eoosevelt  kills  a  wart-hog — The  ugliest  animal  he  saw 
in    Africa — The   story   of   this   beast 279 

Story  of  the  Linsang.  A  most  beautifully  colored  animal  Avith  thick  and  velvety  fur — 
Long    bodies    and    slender    necks 284 

Story  of  the  Fox.  A  cunning  animal — How  the  fox  runs  and  climbs  trees — A  fox  foils 
a  hunter  and  a  pack  of  hounds— The  pretty  little  fennec  of  Africa 287 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  xi 

The  Weasel.  A  blood-thirsty  and  courageous  animal — Eats  rats  and  birds — Scent  like 
a   dog — How   African   weasels   tantalize   lions 293 

Hunting  the  Giraffe.  Mr.  Eoosevelt  bags  two  bull  giraffes  and  Kermit  rides  down  and 
kills  one — Difficulties  in  hunting  this  long-sighted  and  wary  animal — Peculiar  habits 
of   the   giraffe 297 

The  African  Leopard.  Colonel  Eoosevelt  bags  a  leopard — Captures  cubs  alive — Kermit 's 
good  luck — He  kills  a  leopard  at  a  distance  of  twelve  feet — Facts  about  this  blood- 
thirsty   feline    303 

The  Crocodile.  East  African  rivers  full  of  crocodiles — Hated  by  the  natives — How  the 
crocodile  is  hunted  and  trapped — The  alligator 311 

The  Civet.  Hides  by  day  and  prowls  at  night — Hunted  for  its  fine  perfumery — Its  tail 
longer  than  head  and  body  combined — Civets  taking  up  their  abode  in  a  house.... 322 

Hunting  the  Antelope.  Colonel  Roosevelt  bags  a  gnu,  or  wildebeest,  on  Alfred  Pease's 
estate — Excitement  and  danger  of  the  hunt — His  first  victim  on  African  soil — Facts 
about  the  many  varieties  of  antelope  that  crowd  the  East  African  velt 327 

The  Zebra  or  Tiger-Horse.  Colonel  Roosevelt  secures  a  zebra  for  the  National  Museum — 
Natives  hunt  them  for  food — A  herd  of  zebras  on  the  velt — Hundreds  of  them  in 
East    Africa     351 

Africa's  Greatest  Bird.  Mr.  Roosevelt's  visit  to  Sir  Alfred  Pease's  ostrich  farm — The 
story  of  this  wonderful  bird 3.57 

The  Story  of  the  Lizard.  Some  harmless  and  some  poisonous — Loves  to  bask  in  the  sun — • 
Frenzied  by  love,  rage  and  hunger — Grows  a  new  tail  when  mutilated 365 

The  Story  of  the  Shrew.  A  little  insect-eater — At  home  in  all  temperate  regions — ^Fond 
of   fighting — A   victim    of    owls — Lives   underground 371 

Story  of  the  Hedgehog.  An  animal  covered  with  spikes — Rolls  itself  into  a  ball — Farm- 
ers believe  that  it  sucks  cows — Kills  and  eats  snakes — Feeds  on  worms  and  snakes.  .375 

The  Wild  Goat.  A  wary  animal  frequenting  high  mountains — Sure-footed  and  odorous — ■ 
Sentinels   keep   watch   while   the   flock   feeds 379 

The  Aard-Vark  or  Ant-Bear.  The  ugly  and  ungraceful  earth-hog  has  a  long  prehensile 
tongue — Found  on  the  Roosevelt   hunting  grounds  in  East  Africa 383 

Story  of  the  Pangolin.  Looks  like  a  living  pine  cone — Lives  on  ants — How  hunted — 
Its    habits    385 

The  Story  of  the  Tenrec.  Eats  insects  and  resembles  a  hedge-hog — Pest  to  Madagascar 
farmers — Its    flesh    a    great    delicacy 387 

Hunting  the  Gazelle.  Colonel  Roosevelt  receives  a  Thompson  gazelle  for  the  Na- 
tional MiTseum — Many  varieties  of  the  gazelle  family — East  Africa's  most  graceful 
animal     391 

The  Caffre  Cat.  The  ancestor  of  the  domestic  cat — A  native  of  Africa  and  Asia — Wor- 
shipped  by   the    Egyptians 399 

The  Elk.     Fierce   battle   for  leadership — A   great   swimmer — Hides  when   he   loses  his 

horns — How    Indians    hunt    the    Elk    401 

The  Tiger.  Drinks  the  blood  of  its  victims — Catching  Tigers  in  pitfalls — Battles  between 
Tigers  a  famous  sport  in  India — How  tigers  become  man-eaters   409 

The  Jaguar.  Largest  of  the  cat  family  in  the  Western  Hemisphere — A  terror  to  South 
American    villages    421 

The  Yak.  Long  haired  Ox-like  animal — Lives  on  the  high  plateau  of  Thibet — Difficulty  of 
hunting    them 425 

The  Musk  Ox.  A  shaggy  Buffalo-like  animal  of  the  Arctic  region — 'Travels  in  herds — 
Hunted  by  the  Eskimos  for  their  warm  fur — Thrilling  adventure  and  narrow  es- 
cape  , ,  , , , 429 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

The  Great  Two-horned  White  Ehinoeeros  in  Central  Africa  Frontispiece 

Photograph    of    Lion    Face    6 

Shooting  a  Bull  Rhinoceros  on  the  African  Velt   7 

The   Brown   Bear   of    Europe    34 

The  Arctic  or  Polar  Bear   35 

Polar  Bear  and  Cub  Catching  Fish 37 

The  Man-eating  Grizzly   39 

Brown  and  Black  Bears   41 

A  Perfect  Specimen  of  the  American  Black  Bear , 43 

Snap-shot  of  a  Hungry  Black  Bear   45 

Sloth    Bear    Eating    Fruit 47 

The  Parti-colored    Bear   of   Thibet    49 

The    Pure    White    Polar    Bear     50 

Polar   Bears    on    Ice    Floe     51 

The  Black  Bear  of  the  Himalaya  Mountains   52 

The  Forest   Bear   of  India    '. 53 

Beavers  and  Their  Enemy,  The  Sea  Otter    56 

Beavers   At  Work   and   Play 57 

Photograph    of   Beavers    Shingling    Their    Houses    59 

The  Beaver  Cutting  Down  Trees  To  Build  a  Dam    61 

Waterfall — Tana  Eiver  District 64 

Hippopotami   Basking   in    the    Sun 65 

Curing   Strips   of   Antelope   Meat   After   a   Hunt 66 

Warriors,  Women  and  Children  Waiting  to  Greet  the  Great  American 69 

The    Hunter 's    Paradise 73 

An   Old   Elephant    Killed   Near   Mt.    Elgon 76 

Skinning  an   Eland   Antelope 77 

Trophies    of    the    Hunt 79 

A    Family    of    Lions 83 

Masai  Wives  Building  a   New   Village 85 

Going  for  His  Bride — Riding  the  Cow  That  Is  to  Pay  for  Her 86 

Young   Man   Honored   for  Killing  a   Lion 88 

Playing   Bao    89 

Roosevelt  Viewing  the   Country  Along  the   Uganda   Railway 95 

Port   Florence 98 

Crocodile  Caught  on  the  Shore  of  Victoria  Nyanza 101 

An   East   African   Farm 103 

Black-Maned    East    African    Lion 104 

Ex-President  Roosevelt  Killing  His  First  Lions  in   East  Africa 105 

A  Safari  on  March  Through  East  African  Wilderness 108 

xii 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS.  xiii 

^-Afn'pan    Lion    -I -1-1 

Lion    Cubs    and    Their   Habits ........'.      113 

A   Troop   of   Lions   Seen   in    South   Africa '.'.'.'.'.'.'..','.'.  .'.11^ 

The  Maneless   Lion   of  Senegal 117 

Lion   Cubs  That  Look   Like  Lambs . . .  119 

A  Playful   Old   Lion 121 

The  King   of   Beasts   Drinking   at   a   Pool ..!..!.  123 

Sir  Edwin  Landseer  's  World-Famous  Painting  of  a  Lion !  .  !  .  !  124 

A  Perfect  Specimen  of  a  Full-Grown  Lion l^g 

Head-Piece — The   Mountain   Lion 227 

Mountain    Lion,    Treed '  228 

A   Perfect   Specimen  of  Mountain  Lion 229 

Buffalo    Hunters    in    East    Africa 231 

A  Visit  for  the  Exchange  of  Presents 233 

A   Family   of   American   Buffalo   or   Bison 235 

American    Buffaloes — Methods    of   Hunting    Them '  "  237 

European  Buffaloes  Fighting 239 

Arnee   Buffalo   of   Assam 241 

Common    Indian   Buffalo 242 

Cape    Buffaloes    243 

Head-Piece — Story    of    the    Fossa 245 

The  Fossa       246 

An    Ivory    and    Palm    Oil    Caravan 248 

Skinning  an    Elephant 251 

Native   Hunter 's   Camp   in   the   Jungle , 252 

Female  Indian   Elephant 255 

Indian    Elephant   Trumpeting 257 

African  Elephant    259 

Baby  Elephant  of  the  Soudan 261 

Scenes   in   an    Elephant 's  Life 262 

One  of  Mr.  Seymour 's  Hunting  Elephants 263 

Herd   of   African   Elephants 265 

Bactrian   Camel  of  Central  Asia 269 

Arabian  Camels  271 

A   Baby   Camel 273 

Photographs  of   Hyena  Heads 275 

Spotted   Hyena    277 

Head-Piece — Story  of   the   Wild   Sheep 279 

A.  Mouflon  Family 281 

A    Mouflon    of   Sardinia 182 

"Big   Horns ' '   of   the   Rocky   Mountains 283 

Barbary,  or  Maned   Sheep 284 

How  the   Mungoose  Fights 286 

Indian   Mungooses    287 

South    African   Mungooses   or   Meerkats 289 

The   Caracal   or  Desert   Lynx 292 

The   Canada   Lynx 293 

Ex-President  Eoosevelt  Meets  Twelve  Hippopotami 197 

Draggi  ng  the  Hippo  to  Shore 198 

Natives  Dragging  the  Hippo  to  Camp    I99 

Kaverondo  Women  Dragging  Hippopotamus  Head  to  Village  for  Their  Chief 200 

The    Hippopotamus     203 

East   African   Wild   Hog    206 

A  Family  of  Wild  Hogs    207 

Wild  Hog  of  the  Philippines 208 

South  African  Wild  Hog   209 

Porcupines    of    Siam    212 

Porcupines   of   Morocco 213 

Head-Piece — Story  of  the  Wapi 215 


xiv  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

The  Wapi    or   Okapi    •  •  217 

The    European    Jackal    220 

Arabian  Wolf  Jackal    221 

Jackals    of    Slam    222 

Mount  Kilimanjaro   223 

Colobus    Monkey 225 

Five  Beauties  in  the   Kilimanjaro  District. 226 

A  Monkey   Bridge.     Monkeys   Crossing   a   River    227 

Monkeys  Stoning  Mr.  Seymour    230 

Langur  Monkeys  of  the  Himalaya  Mountains   231 

Macaque  or  Brown  Monkey 233 

A  Rough  Rider  in  Africa 234 

A  White-Nosed   Monkey  of  Liberia   235 

Having  Fun  with  a  Crocodile   236 

An  Old  Hanuman  Ape    237 

A    Good    Temperance    Lesson    238 

A  Dog-Faced   Baboon    239 

A  White-Handed  Gibbon    241 

The  Malbrook,  or  Organ  Grinder 's  Monkey   243 

The  Chimpanzee  and  Its  Habits   245 

Young   Ouraug-Outangs    at   Play 247 

Sacred  Apes  of  India 249 

Marmoset  Tearing  Pictures  of  Bugs  Out  of  a  Book  and  Eating  Them 2o0 

Head-Piece— Story  of   the  Gorilla 2.51 

Gorilla   and   Young    2.53 

Head-Piece — Story  of  the  Lemur 2o5 

The    Ruffed    Lemur    2o7 

The  Mole  and  Its  Burrow   •  •  264 

African   Two-Horned   Rhinoceros   Heads 266 

East  African  Bull  Rhinoceros    269 

East  African  Rubber   Farm    2^0 

Great    Indian    Rhinoceros    ^'_^ 

Indian  Rhinoceros  Fighting  an  Elephant   2/4 

Indian  Rhinoceros  After  Shedding  Its  Horn ■  •  •  --12 

Two-Horned    African    Rhinoceros    277 

Young   East   African   Wart-Hog    - 279 

Head    of    Wart-Hog    fj"^ 

Leopard  Ready  to  Leap  on  a  Wart-Hog 2Si 

Wart-Hog  of  South  Eastern  Africa ^^-^ 

Head-Piece— Story  of  the  Linsang ^84 

Linsangs    ' ~^2 

Family    of    Foxes     '"tA 

Eed  Foxes  in  Winter    -»» 

Arctic   Fox   with   Murre  's   Egg j^^ 

African   Asse   Fox    -^;!; 

Fennecs,    or   African   Foxes    • - -^" 

Head-Piece— Story  of  the  Weasel f>^__ 

The   Weasel   and    Its   Prey • ^■'•^ 

Giraffes  Browsing  Among  the  Trees   -■^'^ 

Habits   of   the    Giraffe    ^  " 

Giraffes  of  the   Kalahari  Desert ^"J; 

Leopards    in    the    Jungle    ^^1^ 

A   Persian    Leopard   and   Its   Habits    ■ ^^* 

A  Pair  of  Chitas  or  Hunting  Leopards   30^ 

A  Young  Hunting  Leopard   ^^^ 

The  Headwaters  of  the  Nile   ■It't 

Three   Crocodiles   Captured    in    the    Athi   River ;JJ-^ 

Ganges  Crocodile  Devouring  a  Child    '^ 

Ailigator  Waiting  for   Something  to  Turn  Up    yj 

Head-Piece— Story  of  the   Civet •^-- 


<^ 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS.  xv 

An   African  and  an  Indian  Civet    393 

An    African   Civet    324 

Photographs   01   Antelopes   Secured   for   Museum    32(j 

Native  Bearers  Carrying  Waterbuck  to  Camp,  Where  They  Will  Have  a  Good  Feast.  .  .  .327 

Photograph  of  an  Eland  Bull  Whose- Skin  Was  Prepared  for  the  Museum 328 

An  Elard  Photographed  Just  Before  the  Finishing  Shot    329 

Waterbuck    Shot    Near    Mochakos 33O 

The  Gemsbok  Slayjug  the  Lion   332 

A  South  African   Gemsbok    333 

Female    Sabre-Horned   Antelope   and   Fawn    335 

A   Buck    Eland    336 

A   Nigai   Antelope    337 

South  African  Native  Hunting  Gnu   338 

The  Blue  or  Brindled   Gnu    339 

South  African  Bosch  Bock    341 

Prong-Buck  or  American  Antelope   343 

Indian    Black    Buck    344 

The  Addax,  Egyptian  Antelope   34.5 

Female    Swamp    Antelope 346 

A   Young   Blessbok    347 

A    Waterbuck 348 

Female    Nilgai     = 349 

The  Hartebeest   350 

Zebra    and    Horses 351 

Herd  of  Zebra  Chased  by  a  Lion   353 

A   Family  of  Zebras    354 

East    African   Zebra    355 

Photograph   of   an    Ostrich 's   Nest 358 

A  Missionary  Sewing  School   359 

A   Male   Ostrich    361 

How    South    American    Ostriches    Are    Hunted 362 

African    Ostriches    363 

A    Group    of    Lizards    365 

The  Black  Iguana  in  a  Banana  Tree   367 

Water  Monitors  Bobbing  a  Nest   368 

G-een   Wall   Lizards    369 

Fish   and   Fishermen    371 

Water    Shrews     373 

Head-Piece — Story   of  the  Hedge-Hog 375 

European    Hedge-Hogs     377 

Head-Piece.     Story  of  the  Wild  Goat    379        ^  ( 

Spiral-Horned  Goat  of  Afghanistan    380  ^ 

Alpine    Wild   Goats 381 

The  Aard-Vark  and  Its  Habits   384 

Head-Piece — Story  of   the   Pangolin 385 

The    Pangolin     .' 386 

White  Ibis.     Great  and  Smaller  Bustard 387 

The  Tenrie  and  Its  Habits   388 

A   Herd   of   Gazelles    ." 393 

Giraffe   Gazelle   and   Dwarf   Antelope '. 391 

The   Goitred   Gazelle    394 

Photograph   of   Male   Giraffe   Gazelle    395 

Red-Fronted   Gazelle    397 

The  Caffre  Cat,  Worshipped  by  Egyptians 400 


lAii^ 


xvi  LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Young  Bull  Elk 403 

Cow  Elk   and   Calves    405 

Bull  Elk  Which  has  Shed  its  Antlers  ; 407 

Eoyal  Bengal  Tiger   and  Its  Prey    411 

Wounded   Tiger   Preparing   to   Spring    413 

Tiger  Angrily  Watching  the  Approach  of  a  Foe    415 

Photograph  of  Young  Tiger  Shot  by  Mr.  Seymour   417 

A  Family   of    Siberian   Tigers    419 

A  Man  Eating   Tiger 420 

Jaguar  In   Its  Native  Forest    423 

A  White  Yak    426 

Black  and   White  Yak   of   Thibet    427 

Head  of   Bull   Musk-Ox    430 

Musk  Oxen   At   Bay    431 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  BEAR. 


I  have  met  all  kinds  of  bears  in  my  travels  through  wild  lands  and  some 
species  of  bears  I  have  met  many  times.  I  have  met  some  in  peace  and  some 
in  war. 

Bears  are  so  unlike  any  other  animal  that  they  cannot  be  well  described 
by  comparison.  In  many  respects  they  are  so  unlike  each  other  that  they  are 
given  special  names  according  to  the  locality  they  inhabit. 

For  instance,  there  is  the  brown  bear  of  Europe  and  Asia,  also  found  in 
the  Himalayas,  where  he  has  a  much  lighter  coat;  the  black  bear,  with  a 
white  stripe  on  his  chest,  and  the  snow  bear  that  also  inhabits  the  famous 
Himalaya  Mountains;  the  gigantic  man-eating  grizzly  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains and  the  mischievous  and  dangerous  black  bear  of  the  same  region;  the 
great  white  bear  of  the  Polar  regions;  the  spectacled  bear  of  the  Andes 
Mountains  in  Peru;  the  funny  little  black  bear  of  the  Malay  peninsula;  the 
ugly  sloth  bear  of  India,  and  the  black  and  white  bear  of  Thibet. 

THE  BROWN   BEAR. 


The  brown  bear  is  one  of  the  largest  species,  furnished  in  winter  with 
long,  thick,  shaggy,  and  soft  fur,  beneath  which  is  a  thick  and  woolly  under- 
fur;  the  ears  being  of  moderate  size,  and  covered  with  long  hair.  The  color 
is  generally  some  shade  of  brown,  although  subject  to  great  variation.     In 

33 


34 


THE   STORY   OF    THE    BEAR. 


general  it  varies  from  very  pale  to  very  dark  brown,  some  of  the  lighter 
varieties  being  almost  cream  colored'  in  certain  parts;  while,  in  a  variety 
from  Eastern  Thibet,  the  fnr  on  the  l^ack  and  limbs  is  blackish,  with  tawny 
tips  to  the  hairs.  In  other  varieties,  again,  the  fur  has  a  silvery  tinge,  owing 
to  the  hairs  being  tipped  with  white;  while  some  specimens  have  a  decidedly 
reddish  tinge.  In  the  light  Himalayan  variety  the  color  deepens  with  age, 
this  darkening  being  generally  most  developed  in  old  males,  which  are  fre- 
quently indistinguishable  in  color  from  the  ordinary  European  form.  Young 
animals  have  a  white  collar  on  the  throat,  traces  of  which  may  frequently 
be  observed  in  the  newly-grown  fur  of  the  adult.  The  summer  coat  is  much 
shorter  and  thinner  than  the  winter  dress,  and  is  likewise  darker  in  color. 


THE    BROWN    BEAR    OF    EUROPE. 


The  claws  are  of  moderate  length,  and  their  color  varies  from  brown  to 
nearly  white. 

Exact  measurements  of  large  European  examples  are  not  easy  to  obtam, 
but  it  is  probable  that  some  specimens  reach  at  least  8  feet  from  the  tip  of 
the  snout  to  the  root  of  the  tail.  In  the  Himalaya  the  same  dimensions  are 
not  generally  more  than  5  or  5 J  feet,  but.  large  specimens  reach  about  7  feet, 
and  one  has  been  recorded  of  yl  feet  in  length  and  3  feet  5  inches  in  height. 
The  tail  does  not  measure  more  than  2  or  3  inches. 

The  brown  bear  is  an  inhabitant  of  almost  the  whole  of  Europe,  and  of 
Asia  northwards  of  the  Himalaya;  its  former  range  extending  from  the  Brit- 
ish Islands  and  Spain  in  the  west  to  Kamschatka  in  the  east.    Bears  are  still 


THE  STORV  OP  THR  BEAR. 


U 


found  in  the  Pyrenees,  aiid  are  comparatively  common  in  many  parts  of 
Scandinavia,  Germany,  Huiigar}-.  and  Russia.  At  what  date  they  finally  dis- 
appeared from  the  British  Islands  cannot  be  determined.  There  is  evidence 
to  show  that  bears  were  still  in  existence  in  the  eighth  century;  and,  in  the 
time  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  the  town  of  Norwich  had  to  furnish  annually 
one  bear  to  the  kinsr.     There  is  no  decisive  historical  evidence  as  to  the 


THE  ARCTIC  OR  POLAR  BEAR. 


existence  of  bears  in  Ireland,  but  remains  have  been  found  there  in  various 
parts,  which  in  all  probability  belonged  to  the  present  species,  although  they 
have  been  referred  by  some  to  the  American  grizzly  bear. 

In  the  Himalaya  the  brown  bear  is  found  from  Afghanistan  in  the  west 
to  Nipal  in  the  east.  It  does  not  occur  in  the  more  or  less  Tibetan  districts 
of  Zanskar  and  Ladak,  but  extends  up  the  valley  of  the  Indus  as  far  as  Gilgit. 


ge  THE   STORY  OF   THE   BEAR. 

In  the  mountains  around  the  valley  of  Kashmir  brown  bears  were  once 
very  numerous,  but  they  have  become  much  rarer  now. 

The  brown  bear  is  a  comparatively  unsociable  animal,  though  not  unfre- 
quently  a  male  and  a  female  may  be  seen  together,  while  the  females  are,  of 
course,  accompanied  by  their  cubs.  Their  favorite  haunts  are  wooded,  hilly 
districts.  In  the  Himalaya  the  brown  bear  is  to  be  found  at  considerable 
elevations,  in  the  spring  haunting  the  higher  birch  and  deodar  forests,  while 
in  the  late  summer  it  ascends  to  the  open  grass-lands  above,  where  it  may 
not  unfrequently  be  seen  grazing  close  to  herds  of  ponies  and  flocks  of 
sheep  or  goats.  Both  in  these  regions,  and  the  colder  districts  of  Europe 
and  Northern  Asia,  these  bears  regularly  hibernate;  and  while  they  are 
extremely  fat  at  the  commencement  of  their  winter  sleep,  they  are  reduced 
to  little  more  than  skin  and  bone  at  its  conclusion.  In  the  Himalaya  the 
winter's  sleep  generally  lasts  till  April  or  May,  but  varies  somewhat  in  dif- 
ferent districts  according  to  the  date  at  which  the  snow  melts. 

The  cubs  are  generally  born  during  the  latter  part  of  the  hibernation, 
and  accompanv  the  mother  when  she  issues  forth.  They  are  almost  invari- 
ably two  in  number,  and  are  born  blind  and  naked,  in  which  condition  they 
remain  for  about  four  w'eeks. 

In  Europe  the  brown  l.>ear  not  unfrequently  kills  and  eats  other  animals, 
its  depredations  extending,  it  is  said,  even  to  cattle  and  ponies;  but  in  the 
Himalaya,  except  when  carcasses  come  in  its  way,  the  animal  is  almost 
exclusively  an  insect  and  vegetable  feeder.  There  it  is  fond  of  the  numerous 
species  of  bulbous  plants  growing  on  the  mountains  around  Kashmir;  but  it 
will  also  descend  into  the  orchards  of  the  upland  villages  to  plunder  the 
crops  of  mulberries,  apricots,  walnuts,  etc.  On  such  occasions  it  ascends  the 
trees  readily  enough,  although  it  is  by  no  means  such  a  good  climber  as  its 
cousin  the  Himalayan  black  bear.    It  seeks  for  insects  by  overturning  stones. 

In  Kamschatka  the  brown  bear  is  stated  to  subsist  for  a  certain  portion  of 
the  year  upon  salmon.  They  walk  slowly  into  the  water,  where  it  is  about 
eighteen  inches  in  depth,  and,  facing  down  stream,  motionless  await  their 
prey.  The  incautious  fish,  swimming  heedlessly  up  the  river,  are  seized  upon, 
and  always  taken  to  the  bank  to  be  devoured,  for  even  the  small  ones  do  not 
appear  to  be  eaten  whole. 

The  brown  bear,  in  common  with  its  relatives,  is  dull  of  hearing,  and  it 
is  also  by  no  means  well  gifted  as  regards  sight.  What  it  lacks  in  these 
respects  it  makes  up  for,  however,  in  the  great  development  of  the  sense 
of  smell.     Owing  to  this  deficiency  of  hearing,  a  bear  can  be  approached 


THE    STORY   OF    THE    BEAR. 


37 


from  the  leeward  to  within  a  very  short  distance.  Care  should,  however, 
always  be  taken  to  approach  a  l^ear  from  above,  as  a  wounded  one  rolling 
down  hill  on  to  the  hunter  is  a  very  dangerous  object. 

If  two  bears  are  feeding  together  and  one  is  hit  by  a  bullet,  it  will  not 
unfrequently  turn  fiercely  on  its  companion,  apparently  under  the  impres- 
sion that  the  latter  was  its  aggressor.    In  the  Himalaya,  at  least,  the  brown 


POLAR    BEAR    AND    CUB    CATCHING    FISH. 


bear  never  voluntarily  attacks  human  beings  if  unmolested,  and  it  rarely 
turns  on  them  when  wounded,  unless  brought  to  close  quarters.  There  is 
but  little  doubt  that  the  current  stories  of  the  fierceness  of  the  European  bear 
are  exaggerated.  In  regard  to  the  proverbial  "hug,"  the  story  is  apparently 
devoid  of  foundation.  A  bear,  from  its  anatomical  structure,  strikes  round 
with  its  paws,  as  if  grasping,  and  the  blow  of  its  powerful  arm  drives  its 


38  THE   STORY   OF    THE   BEAR. 

claws  into  the  body  of  its  victim,  causing  terrible  wounds,  but  the  idea  of 
its  "hugging"  appears  not  confirmed  by  recent  observers. 

At  the  best,  a  brown  bear  is  uncouth  and  grotesque  in  its  movements, 
and  in  no  case  is  this  more  marked  than  when  one  of  these  animals  suddenly 
catches  a  whiff  of  human  scent,  and  starts  ofT  with  a  loud  "whuff"  at  a 
shambling  gallop.  In  spite,  however,  of  their  uncouthness,  bears  can  travel 
pretty  quickly  when  so  minded,  although  their  usual  gait  is  deliberate  in  the 
extreme. 

The  brown  bear  is  easily  tamed,  and  both  in  Europe  and  India  is  the  com- 
panion of  itinerant  showmen,  by  whom  it  is  taught  to  dance,  and  go  through 
various  other  performances.  Xs  showing  the  age  to  which  the  brown  bear 
may  live,  it  is  worthy  of  mention  that  one  kept  in  the  garden  at  Berne  sur- 
vived for  upwards  of  forty-seven  years,  while  it  is  on  record  that  a  female 
gave  birth  to  young  at  the  age  of  thirty-one  years.  From  the  beauty  of  their 
color,  and  the  length  of  their  fur,  the  skins  of  the  Himalayan  brown  bear,  if 
procured  early  in  the  spring,  are  held  in  high  estimation. 

The  inhabitants  of  Northern  Europe  hunt  the  brown  bear  with  much 
skill,  and  take  it  in  traps  and  pitfalls,  availing  themselves  of  its  love  for 
honey.  There  exists  a  practice  of  placing  the  hive  in  a  tree,  and  planting- 
long  spikes  round  its  foot.  A  heavy  log  of  wood  is  then  suspended  by  a 
cord  just  before  the  entrance  of  the  hive,  and  the  trap  is  complete. 

The  bear  scents  the  honey,  and  comes  to  look  at  the  tree.  The  spikes 
rather  astonish  him,  but  he  sniffs  his  way  through  them,  and  commences  the 
ascent.  When  he  has  reached  the  hive,  he  is  checked  by  the  log  hanging 
before  the  entrance;  this  he  finds  movable,  and  pushes  aside,  but  it  is  just 
so  long  that  a  mere  push  will  not  entirely  remove  it,  so  he  gives  it  a  tre- 
mendous pat,  and  looks  in  at  the  entrance.  Just  as  he  has  succeeded  in 
putting  his  nose  to  the  hive,  the  log  returns  and  hits  him  very  hard  on  the 
head.  This  makes  him  exceedingly  angry,  and  he  pokes  it  away  harder  than 
ever,  only  to  return  with  a  more  severe  blow  than  before. 

He  now  has  a  regular  fight  with  the  log,  hitting  it  first  to  one  side  and 
then  to  the  other,  the  perverse  block  invariably  striking  his  head  every  time, 
until  at  last  a  severer  blow  than  usual  knocks  him  fairly  off  the  tree  on  to  the 
spikes  below. 

THE  GRIZZLY  BEAR. 

The  gigantic  grizzly  bear  of  Western  North  America,  whose  range 
extends  from  Alaska  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  Mexico,  is  gen- 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    BEAR. 


a9 


erally  regarded  as  a  species  distinct  from  the  brown  bear,  although  there 
can  be  no  question  but  that  the  two  are  very  closely  related.  The  grizzly 
is  generally  larger  in  size,  greyer  in  color,  and  has  shorter  and  less  valuable 
fur  than  its  European  cousin.  Some  of  the  brown  bears  from  Northern 
Asia  are  probably  nearly  or  quite  as  large  as  an  average-sized  grizzly;  while 
the  dil^ference  in  this  respect  between  brown  bears  from  different  districts 
indicates  that  mere  size  cannot  be  a  matter  of  much  im|X)rtance.  All  the 
.Vmerican  hunters  recognize  several  varieties  of  greyish  bears,  respectively 
known  as  the  "silver-tip,"  "roach-back."  and  the  "barren-ground"  bear,  in 


THE    MAN-EATING    GRIZZLY. 


addition  to  the  typical  grizzly.    We  prefer,  however,  to  adopt  the  view  that 
there  are  but  two  distinct  species  of  North  American  bears. 

Occasionally,  as  in  the  case  of  the  black  bear,  there  may  be  cinnamon- 
colored  varieties  of  the  grizzly;  and  it  was  at  one  time  considered  that  such 
yellow-haired  bears  constituted  a  distinct  species — the  so-called  cinnamon 
bear,. but  it  is  now  known  that  such  coloration  is  merely  a  phase  common  to 
each  species.  A  naturalist  reports  having  seen  a  female  grizzly  with  three 
cul)S,  of  which  one  was  almost  vellow,  a  second  nearlv  black,  and  the  third 


grey. 


The  so-called  barren-ground  bear  of  Arctic  America  comes  very  close  to 


40  THE   STORY   OF   THE   BEAR. 

the  European  brown  bear,  and  may  indeed  prove  to  be  the  connecting  Hnk 
between  it  and  the  typical  grizzly. 

The  accounts  of  the  size  and  weight  of  the  grizzly  are  probably  much 
exaggerated;  most  of  the  measurements  having  been  taken  from  pegged- 
out  skins,  while  the  weights  are  mere  estimates.  It  is  said  that  the  finest 
grizzlies  hail  from  Alaska,  but  it  is  probable  that  those  formerly  inhabiting 
the  Pacific  flanks  of  the  high  Sierra  Nevada  were  really  the  largest.  These, 
however,  have  been  nearly  or  completely  exterminated  by  the  shepherds, 
who  poisoned  them  on  account  of  the  ravages  they  committed  on  their 
flocks.  These  Sierra  grizzlies  are  reported  to  have  been  of  the  enormous 
weight  of  1, 800  pounds;  and  there  seems  no  doubt  that  instances  of  1,400 
and  1,200  have  been  reached.  Probably  the  best  estimates  are  from  900 
to  1,000  pounds.  The  skin  of  such  an  animal  will  measure  9  feet  3  inches 
from  the  nose  to  the  hind-foot,  when  pegged  out  without  undue  stretching. 

That  the  grizzly  is  a  man  eater  is  admitted  by  all.  They  have  been 
known  to  attack  the  huge  bison  that  once  fed  on  the  Western  plains,  and 
wherever  elk  are  abundant  there  will  grizzly  bears  be  found.  Failing  to 
get  meat  they  thrive  on  acorns,  nuts,  etc.,  and  are  especially  fond  of  the 
pine  nut  stored  away  by  the  mountain  squirrels. 

The  grizzly  is  a  bad  climber  and  seldom  resorts  to  trees.  Its  strength 
is  prodigious.  It  can  break  the  neck  of  an  ox  with  one  blow  of  its  paw,  and 
it  frequently  carries  off  the  carcass  of  an  elk  weighing  i  ,000  pounds. 

Some  writers  have  said  that  the  grizzly  bear  will  run  away  if  he  comes 
across  the  scent  of  men.  This  is  denied,  and  it  has  been  stated  that  the 
man  is  more  likely  to  run  away  from  the  bear  than  the  bear  from  the  man. 
The  American  Indians  fear  it  so  much  that  a  necklace  of  its  claws,  which  mav 
only  be  worn  by  the  individual  who  destroyed  the  bear,  is  a  decoration 
entitling  the  wearer  to  the  highest  honors. 

These  formidable  claws  are  five  inches  long,  and  cut  like  so  many  chisels, 
so  that  the  Indian  of  former  days,  armed  only  with  bow,  spear,  and  knife, 
fully  deserved  honor  for  overcoming  so  savage  and  powerful  a  brute.  Since 
the  introduction  of  fire-arms,  the  grizzly  bear  affords  a  rather  easier  victory, 
but,  even  to  one  armed  with  all  advantage  of  rifle  and  pistols,  the  fight  is 
sure  to  be  a  severe  one,  for  when  the  bear  is  once  wounded,  there  is  no 
attempt  to  escape,  but  life  is  pitted  against  life. 

The  following  thrilling  experience  of  two  amateur  hunters  will  show  the 
man-fighting  qualities  of  the  grizzly: 

The  two  young  men  were  resting  beneath  some  trees,  their  guns  lying 


THE    STORY   OF    THE    BEAR. 


41 


several  feet  away.  Looking  up  suddenly  one  of  them  saw  a  huge  grizzly 
bear  coming  toward  them.  The  bear  was  so  close  that  they  did  not  have 
time  to  seize  their  guns.  Each  climbed  a  small  tree,  and  none  too  soon,  for 
one  of  them  barely  escaped  being  caught  by  the  leg. 

When  the  bear  found  that  his  game  had  escaped  he  ran  frantically  from 
one  tree  to  another  clawing  at  the  trunk,  but  the  trees  were  too  small  for  him 
to  climb.  He  occasionally  passed  from  one  tree  to  another,  but  he  never 
wandered  far  enough  away  to  give  the  men  an  opportunity  to  descend  and 
reach  their  guns  in  safety. 

Occasionally  the  brute  clawed  and  toyed  with  the  guns,  as  though  won- 
dering what  they  were,  but  he  did  not  harm  them  by  his  manoeuvres. 


BROWN  AND  BLACK  BEARS. 


The  night  that  succeeded  this  adventure  was  quite  bright  and  moonlight, 
so  that  their  colossal  enemy  was  as  plainly  discernible  as  at  noonday. 

The  men  were  becoming  thirsty,  hungry,  tired  and  cramped.  It  looked 
like  a  regular  three  days'  siege,  which  could  only  be  a  lingering  torture  to 
those  principally  concerned. 

Towards  m.idnight  the  more  courageous  of  the  two  announced  his  inten- 
tion of  descending  and  making  the  attempt  to  recover  his  gun. 

"You  can't  do  it,"  said  the  other;  "the  fellow  is  too  sharp." 

"I  have  hope  that  we  can  outwit  him." 

'T  don't  see  how;  it  is  no  darker  now  than  it  was  four  hours  ago,  and  he 
Is  just  as  wide  awake  as  either  of  us." 


42  THE   STORY   OF    THE    BEAR. 

"But  it  must  be  done,"  replied  number  one,  "we  can't  afford  to  sit  here 
and  let  him  starve  us  to  death." 

"I  think  he  will  probably  go  away  after  a  while." 

"No  fear  of  it;  he  has  set  his  heart  upon  us,  and  there  he  will  stay  until 
we  go  down  and  surrender,  or  until  we  manage  to  outwit  him." 

After  some  further  consultation,  it  was  agreed  that  the  first  speaker 
should  stealthily  slide  down  the  tree,  while  his  companion  endeavored  to 
keep  the  attention  of  the  enemy  drawn  toward  him. 

The  former  moved  as  quietly  as  possible  among  the  limbs,  while  the 
other  purposely  made  a  rustling  of  the  branches. 

The  bear  was  instantly  on  the  alert,  and  sidled  closer  to  the  tree,  so  as  to 
be  ready  for  the  choice  morsel  when  it  dropped  into  his  mouth. 

As  a  matter  of  course,  the  second  man  moved  tardily,  while  his  friend 
did  his  best.  When  the  latter  found  himself  with  his  arms  around  the  trunk, 
pressing  it  with  his  knees,  the  moment   became  one  of  intense  excitement. 

But  the  second  hunter  shook  and  rattled  the  limbs  in  a  manner  that 
must  have  set  the  grizzly's  heart  bounding  with  expectation;  the  young  man 
was  sure  he  saw  him  lick  his  chops  in  anticipation  of  his  luscious  meal. 

A  moment  later,,  the  feet  of  the  first  hunter  lightly  touched  the  ground, 
and  he  peered  cautiously  from  behind  the  tree,  to  make  sure  that  the  bear 
had  not  discovered  him.  He  was  still  wistfully  looking  upward,  when  the 
hunter  sank  softly  to  the  ground  and  began  crawling  toward  his  gun,  several 
yards  distant. 

At  this  critical  juncture  the  bear  evidently  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
it  was  time  to  give  a  little  attention  to  the  other  half  of  his  meal,  and  turning 
his  gaze  in  that  direction,  he  espied  him  creeping  over  the  ground. 

With  a  furious  growl  he  made  a  low  plunge  after  him,  and  the  hunter, 
finding  the  crisis  had  arrived,  sprang  to  his  feet  and  grasped  his  gun. 

When  he  turned  to  fire  it  the  bear  was  upon  him,  and  the  fiash  of  his 
powder  was  in  his  very  eyes.  The  wound  appeared  only  to  enrage  him,  for 
the  next  instant  he  had  grasped  the  young  man  in  his  arms,  with  the  purpose 
of  tearing  him  to  shreds. 

Fortunately,  the  hunter  possessed  a  hunting  knife,  which  he  plunged 
v.ith  all  his  might  into  the  stomach  of  his  enemy;  but,  upon  drawing  it  forth 
and  attempting  to  repeat  the  process,  it  slipped  from  his  hand,  and  he  thus 
found  himself  entirely  unarmed  in  the  clasp  of  the  most  formidable  brute  of 
the  Western  wilderness. 

The  other  hunter,  seeing  the  terrible  strait  in  which  his  companion  w^as 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   BEAR. 


43 


placed,  dropped  lightly  to  the  ground,  and  caught  up  his  own  gun,  while  the 
bear,  fully  occupied  witli  his  victim,  did  not  observe  the  appearance  of  this 
second  actor  upon  the  scene. 

Running  hastily  forward,  the  second  hunter  placed  the  muzzle  of  the 
gun  under  the  upraised  fore  leg  of  the  animal,  and  fired,  the  ball  entering 
his  heart. 

Another  moment's  delay  and  it  would  have  been  too  late. 


A    PERFECT    SPECIMEN    OF    THE    AMERICAN    BLACK    BEAR. 

THE  AMERICAN   BLACK   BEAR. 


The  American  l)lack  bear  differs  from  the  brown  bear  much  more  than 
does  the  grizzly.    It  is  a  smaller  animal  than  the  brown  bear,  v/ith  a  small?!" 


44  THE   STORY   OF   THE   BEAR. 

head,  sharper  muzzle,  and  more  regularly  convex  profile  of  the  face,  as  well 
as  a  much  shorter  hind-foot.  In  length  this  bear  seldom  exceeds  5  feet. 
The  fur  is  less  shaggy,  and  altogether  smoother  and  more  glossy  than  that  of 
either  the  brown  or  grizzly  bear;  being  of  a  uniformly  black  color,  except  on 
the  muzzle,  where  it  becomes  tawny  yellow.  Occasionally  specimens  are 
found  with  white  margins  to  the  lips  and  white  streaks  on  the  chest.  The 
smaller  size  of  the  hind-feet  of  this  species  renders  its  trail  distinguishable  at 
a  glance  from  that  of  the  grizzly  bear. 

The  black  bear  formerly  had  a  wider  distribution  than  the  grizzly,  extend- 
ing from  Labrador  and  Canada  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  from  the  east  to 
the  west  coasts  of  the  continent.  It  frequented  all  the  mountains,  the  thickets 
of  the  vast  plains,  and  every  creek,  river,  and  bay  or  bottom.  At  the 
present  day  its  habitat  is  confined  to  some  portions  of  the  various  ranges  of 
mountains  south  of  the  St.  Lawrence  River,  the  Great  Lakes,  and,  east  of  the 
Mississippi  River,  to  parts  of  those  portions  of  the  Mississippi  River  and  its 
tributaries  which  are  yet  unsettled,  and  where  it  has  been  able  to  escape 
destruction  from  hunters.  Some  few  are  yet  found  in  the  dense  thickets  of 
the  Colorado,  Trinity,  and  Brazos  rivers. 

As  with  other  bears,  the  male  is  much  larger  than  the  female ;  when  full 
grown  the  former  will  stand  about  3  feet  in  height,  and  will  often  turn  the 
scale  at  from  600  to  700  pounds. 

The  food  of  the  American  black  bear  consists  not  only  of  mice  and  other 
small  mam.mals,  turtles,  frogs,  and  fish,  but  also,  and  largely,  of  ants  and 
their  eggs,  bees  and  their  honey,  cherries,  blackberries,  raspberries,  blue- 
berries, and  various  other  fruits,  vegetables,  and  roots.  He  sometimes 
makes  devastating  raids  upon  the  barn-yard,  slaying  and  devouring  sheep, 
calves,  pigs,  and  poultry.  It  is  claimed  that  the  black  bear  is  growing  more 
carnivorous  and'  discontented  with  a  diet  of  herbs.  Assuredly,  he  is  grow- 
ing bolder.  He  is  also  developing  a  propensity  to  destroy  more  than  he 
can  eat.  It  is  fortunate  that  an  animal  of  the  strength  and  ferocity  which 
he  displays  when  aroused  seldom  attacks  man.  The  formation  of  his  power- 
ful jaws  and  terrible  canine  teeth  are  well  adapted  to  seize  and  hold  his  prey, 
and  his  molars  are  strong  enough  to  crush  the  bones  of  an  ox.  His  great 
strength,  however,  Hes  in  his  fore-arms  and  paws.  His  mode  of  attacking 
his  prey  is  not  to  seize  it  with  his  teeth,  but  tO'  strike  terrific  blows  with  his 
fore-paws. 

His  v^^eakness  is  for  pork,  and  to  obtain  it  he  will  run  any  risk.  When 
the  farmers,  after  sufferings  severe  losses  at  his  hands,  become  unusually 


THE   STORY  OF   THE.  BEAR. 


45 


alert,  he  retires  to  the  depths  of  the  forest  and  solaces  himself  with  a  young 
moose,  caribou,  or  deer.  He  seldom  or  never  attacks  a  full-grown  moose, 
but  traces  of  desperate  encounters,  in  which  the  cow-moose  has  battled  for 
her  offspring,  are  frequently  met  with  in  the  woods. 

Black  bears  visit  the  Adirondacks  from  the  wooded  districts  about 
twenty  miles  to  the  westward  during  the  autumn,  crossing  a  fertile  and  well- 
cultivated  valley.  They  are  good  climbers,  but,  from  their  weight,  are 
unable  to  ascend  to  the  tree-tops  or  climb  far  out  on  the  branches,  although 


SNAP  SHOT  OF  A  HUNGRY  BLACK  BEAR. 


they  will  ascend  straight  stems  for  a  considerable  height  after  honey.  Thev 
are  also  excellent  swimmers,  many  being  killed  while  swimming  in  the  lakes. 
As  a  rule,  the  black  bear  hibernates,  although  its  torpor  is  not  deep,  and 
the  time  of  entering  upon  the  winter  repose  depends  upon  the  severity  of  the 
season,  and  the  amount  of  food-supply.  The  males  will  remain  active  in 
any  weather,  so  long  as  they  can  find  abundance  of  food.  The  female  is, 
however,  compelled  to  seek  shelter  sooner  on  account  of  her  prospective 
family. 


46  THR  SfOkV  OF  TUB  MAR. 

The  winter  den  of  a  black  bear  is  generally  a  partial  excavation  under 
the  upturned  roots  of  a  fallen  tree,  or  beneath  a  pile  of  logs,  with  perhaps  a 
few  bushes  and  leaves  scraped  together  by  way  of  a  bed,  while  to  the  first 
snowstorm  is  left  the  task  of  completing  the  roof  and  filling  the  remaining 
chinks.  If  the  prospects  point  towards  a  severe  winter,  and  there  is  a 
scarcity  of  food,  they  "den"  early,  and  take  pains  to  make  a  comfortable  nest; 
but  when  they  stay  out  late,  and  then  "den"  in  a  hurry,  they  do  not  take  the 
trouble  to  fix  up  their  nests  at  all.  At  such  times  they  simply  crawl  into  any 
convenient  shelter  without  gathering  so  much  as  a  branch  of  moss  to  soften 
their  bed.  Snow  completes  the  covering,  and  as  their  breath  condenses  and 
freezes  into  it  an  icy  wall  begins  to  form,  and  increases  in  thickness  and 
extent  day  by  day  till  they  are  soon  imable  to  escape,  even  if  they  would,  and 
are  obliged  to  remain  in  this  icy  cell  till  liberated  by  the  sun  in  xA.pril  or  May. 

The  young  are  born  about  January  or  February,  and  are  usually  two  or 
three  in  number,  although  four  have  been  found  in  a  litter.  The  female  does 
not  give  birth  to  young  oftener  than  every  alternate  year. 

Sometimes  the  black  bear  is  hunted  with  dogs  trained  for  the  purpose. 
The  dogs  are  not  taught  to  seize  the  bear,  but  to  nip  his  heels,  yelp  around 
him,  and  retard  his  progress,  until  the  hunters  come  up  and  despatch  him 
with  their  rifles.  Common  yelping  curs  possessed  of  the  requisite  pluck  are 
best  adapted  for  the  purpose.  Large  dogs  with  sufiicient  courage  to  seize 
a  bear  would  have  but  a  small  chance  with  him,  for  he  could  disable  them 
with  one  blow  of  his  powerful  paw.  Another  way  of  hunting  is  to  track 
Bruin  to  his  winter  den,  and  cither  smoke  or  dig  him  out,  when  he  may  be 
despatched  by  a  blow  on  the  head  with  the  pole  of  an  axe  as  he  struggles  out. 
Various  kinds  of  traps,  set-guns,  and  dead-falls  are  also  employed  against 
him. 

THE  UGLY  SLOTH   BEAR. 

The  ugliest  of  all  the  bear  tribe  is  the  sloth  bear  of  India.  It  is  covered 
with  very  long  and  coarse  fur,  which  attains  its  greatest  length  on  the 
shoulders.  With  the  exception  of  the  end  of  the  muzzle  being  dirty  grey, 
and  of  the  white  chevron  on  the  chest,  the  color  of  the  fur  is  black,  but  the 
long  claws  are  white.  The  claws  are  also  unusually  large  and  powerful,  and 
the  snout  and  lower  lip  are  much  elongated  and  very  mobile.  These  bears 
are  from  4^  feet  to  5,  feet  8  inches  in  the  length  of  the  head  and  body,  the 
tail  generally  measiu\ng  from  4  to  5  inches,  exclusive  of  the  hair.  Large 
males  weigh  as  nuich  as  280  TX)unds. 


The  story  of  the  bear. 


47 


Their  summer  homes  are  in  caves  in  the  rocks;  in  the  winter  they  pass 
the  day  in  the  grass  or  bushes,  or  in  the  holes  in  the  banks  of  ravines.  At 
night  they  roam  in  search  of  food,  which  consists  ahnost  entirely  of  fruits, 
flowers,  and  insects,  together  with  honey.  In  addition  to  beetles,  voung 
l)ees  and  honey  the  sloth  bear  is  very  fond  of  white  ants.  The  power  of 
suction  in  this  bear  as  well  as  expelling  wind  from  its  mouth  are  very  great. 

On  arriving  at  an  anthill,  the  bear  scrapes  away  with  the  fore-feet  until 
he  reaches  the  large  combs  at  the  bottom  of  the  galleries.  He  then  with 
violent  pufTs  dissipates  the  dust  and  crumbled  particles  of  the  nest,  and  sucks 


SLOTH  BEAR  EATING  FRUIT. 


out  the  inhabitants  of  the  comb  by  such  forcible  inhalations  as  to  be  heard 
at  two  hundred  yards'  distance  or  more.  Large  larvae  are  in  this  way  sucked 
out  from  great  depths  under  the  soil.  They  occasionally  rob  birds'  nests 
and'  devour  the  eggs.  The  sucking  of  the  paw,  accompanied  by  a  drumming 
noise  when  at  rest,  and  especially  after  meals,  is  common  to  all  bears,  and 
durmg  the  heat  of  the  day  they  may  often  be  heard  humming  and  puf^ng 
far  down  m  caverns  and  fissures  of  rocks. 

Like  the  fox-bats  and  the  palm-civets,  the  sloth  bear  often  visits  the  ves- 


4:8  THE  STORY  OF   THE   BEAR. 

sels  hung  on  the  palm  trees  for  the  sake  of  their  juice,  and  is  said  frequently 
to  become  very  drunk  in  consequence.  Sugar-cane  is  likewise  a  favorite 
dainty  of  these  bears,  which  frequently  do  a  large  amount  of  damage  to  such 
crops.  Although  they  generally  subsist  entirely  on  vegetable  substances  and 
insects,  they  will  occasionally  eat  flesh. 

Like  most  other  members  of  the  family,  the  sloth  bear  has  the  sense  of 
hearing  but  poorly  developed,  and  its  eyesight  is  also  far  from  good;  hence 
it  has  a  peculiarly  comical  way  of  peering  about  when  it  suspects  intruders, 
as  though  it  were  short-sighted.  It  can  be  approached  very  closely  from  the 
leeward  side.  Its  sense  of  smell  is  wonderfully  acute,  and  it  can  detect  con- 
cealed supplies  of  honey,  and  also  scent  out  ants'  nests  when  situated  far 
below  the  ground. 

The  number  of  cubs  produced  at  a  birth  is,  as  in  most  bears,  usually  two, 
but  there  may  sometimes  be  three.  The  young  cubs  are  carried  on  the  back 
of  the  female  when  the  animals  are  on  the  move;  and  it  is  an  amusing  sight  to 
watch  the  cubs  dismount  at  the  feeding  grounds,  and  scramble  back  to  their 
seat  at  the  first  alarm.  The  cubs  are  carried  about  in  this  manner  till  they 
are  several  months  old  and  have  attained  the  dimensions  of  a  sheep-dog, 
and  when  there  is  room  for  only  one  cub  on  the  mother's  back  the  other 
has  to  walk  by  her  side. 

Either  wild  or  tame  they  are  very  amusing.  Though  hard  to  kill,  they 
are  very  soft  as  to  their  feelings,  and  make  the  most  hideous  outcries  when 
shot  at — not  only  the  wounded  animal,  but  also  its  companions. 

Although  generally  timid  in  their  nature,  sloth  bears  will  on  rare  occa- 
sions attack  human  beings  without  provocation,  and  when  they  do  so  they 
fight  both  with  teeth  and  talons,  and  inflict  terrible  wounds,  more  especially 
on  the  head  and  face.  These  attacks  generally  occur  when  a  bear  is  acci- 
dentally stumbled  upon  by  a  native  wandering  in  the  jungle,  and  are  then 
due  more  to  timidity  than  to  ferocity. 

Sloth  bears  are  usually  hunted  in  India  either  by  driving  them  from  cover 
with  a  line  of  beaters,  or. by  the  sportsman  going  to  their  caves  or  lairs 
among  the  rocks  at  daybreak,  and  shooting  them  as  they  return  home  from 
their  nightly  wanderings. 

THE  PARTI-COLORED  BEAR. 

The  strangest  animal  of  all  the  family  of  bears  is  found  in  that  practically 
unknown  country  of  Thibet.      It  was  first  discovered  in  1869. 

The  general  color  is  white,  but  the  eyes  are  surrounded  by  black  rings, 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   BeAR. 


49 


the  small  ears  are  also  black,  while  the  shoulders  are  marked  by  a  transverse 
stripe  of  the  same  color  gradually  increasing  in  width  as  it  approaches  the 
fore-limbs,  which  are  also  entirely  black,  as  are  likewise  the  hind-limbs.  This 
peculiar  coloration  communicates  a  most  extraordinary  appearance  to  the 
creature;  and  without  knowing  more  of  its  natural  surroundings  it  is  difficult 
to  imagine  the  object  of  such  a  staring  contrast.  The  tail  is  extremely  short; 
and  the  soles  of  the  feet  are  hairy. 

The  parti-colored  bear  is  reported  to  inhabit  the  most  inaccessible  dis- 
tricts of  Eastern  Thibet,  and  to  be  of  extremely  rare  occurrence.  Unfortu- 
nately we  are  at  present  cjuite  ignorant  of  its  habits,  although  it  is  said  to  feed 


THE    PARTI-COLORED    BEAR    OF    THIBET. 


chiefly  on  roots  and  the  young  shoots  of  bamboos,  and  to  be  entirely  her- 
bivorous. 

It  is  about  the  same  size  as  the  small  brown  bear. 

THE  POLAR   BEAR. 


Arctic  explorers  have  had  many  strange  and  exciting  experiences  with 
the  great  white  bear  that  lives  among  the  ice  and  snows  of  the  polar  regions 
in  both  hemispheres.     On  the  north  coasts  of  America  and  Asia  the  Polar 


60 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   BEAR. 


bear  is  found  everywhere  and  becomes  more  and  more  numerous  as  one 
travels  northward. 

The  Polar  bear  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  bear  group,  frequently  attain- 
ing the  length  of  nine  feet.  It  retains  its  white  color  summer  and  winter. 
Its  head  is  longer  and  smaller  than  the  other  species  of  bears  and  the  soles  of 
its  feet  are  covered  by  long  hairs,  which  give  it  a  better  hold  on  the  ice. 

It  is  rare  that  more  than  two  are  seen  together  except  where  the  female 
is  accompanied  by  her  young.  Their  principal  food  consists  of  the  seal  and 
walrus,  but  they  also  feed  upon  vegetable  substances,  such  as  seaweed,  grass 
and  lichens.     They  display  great  skill  and  cunning  in  the  capture  of  their 


THE    PURE    WHITE    POLAR    BEAR. 

prey.  The  bear  having  discovered  a  seal  asleep  on  an  ice-floe  immediately 
slips  into  the  water  if  he  himself  be  oil  another  ice-floe.  Diving,  he  swims 
under  water  for  a  distance,  then  reappears  and  takes  observations.  Alter- 
nately diving  and  swimming,  he  approaches  close  to  his  victim.  Before  his 
final  disappearance  he  seems  to  measure  the  intervening  distance,  and  when 
he  next  appears  it  is  alongside  of  the  seal.  Then,  either  getting  on  the  ice, 
or  pouncing  upon  the  seal  as  it  tries  to  escape,  he  secures  it.  Both  seals  and 
porpoises  are  not  unfrequently  met  with,  bearing  the  marks  of  a  bear's  claws 
upon  their  backs. 

Formerly  the  sight  of  a  bear  created  great  fear  among  Arctic  travelers. 


THE    STORY    OP    THE    BEAR. 


51 


but  now  the  walrus-hunters  do  not  hesitate  to  attack  with  a  lance  consider- 
able numbers  of  bears.  It  is  only  occasionally  that  a  Polar  bear  will  attack 
first.  The  pure  white  ones  from  the  largest  to  the  smallest  are  timid.  The 
most  dangerous,  other  than  females  with  cubs,  is  a  large-sized  male  bear  of 
a  yellowish,  dirty  color.  Another  sort  is  the  small-sized  bear,  neither  white 
nor  yellow,  but  rather  dirty-looking.    These  are  the  best  runners. 

Unlike  the  others,  the  Polar  bear  does  not  attempt  to  hug,  but  bites. 


POLAR  BEARS  ON  ICE  FLOE. 


There  are  many  instances  of  men,  who  while  watching  or  skinning  seals, 
have  had  its  rough  paws  laid  on  their  shoulders.  Their  only  chance  then  has 
been  to  feign  being  dead,  and  manage  to  shoot  it  while  the  bear  was  sitting  at 
a  distance  watching  its  intended  victim. 

The  pace  of  a  Polar  bear  is  rapid  and  they  have  been  known  to  overtake 
Esquimaux  and  other  Indians  in  a  fair  chase.  Their  fleetness  depends,  how- 
ever, largely  upon  their  condition  at  the  time,  the  thinner  they  are  the 


52 


THE   STORY   OF    THE    BEAR. 


greater  being  their  speed.     The  weight  of  a  large  and  fat  Polar  bear  is 
estimated  at  from  600  to  700  pounds. 

In  the  Hudson's  Bay  district,  the  female  bears  proceed  to  their  winter 
hibernation  for  the  purpose  of  producing  their  young  at  the  end  of  Sep- 
tember or  beginning  of  October,  and  return  in  March,  April,  or  May.  The 
hibernation  always  takes  place  some  distance  inland,  and  the  males  accom- 
pany their  consorts  to  their  resting  places,  after  which  they  come  back  to  the 
coast,  where  they  hunt  throughout  the  winter.  Generally  two  cubs  are 
produced  at  a  birth,  but  the  number  may  be  sometimes  diniinished  to  one, 
and  occasionally  increased  to  three. 


THE    BLACK    BEAR    OF    THE    HIMALAYA    MOUNTAINS 


THE  HIMALAYAN  BLACK  BEAR. 

With  the  black  bear  of  the  Himalaya  we  come  to  a  very  different  animal, 
readily  recognized  by  the  white  chevron  or  inverted  crescent  on  the  chest, 
from  which  it  takes  its  scientific  title,  and  which  stands  out  in  marked  con- 
trast to  the  jetty  black  of  the  remainder  of  the  fur.  This  species  does  not 
attain  by  any  means  such  large  dimensions  as  the  brown  or  grizzly  bear;  the 
length  from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  root  of  the  tail  usually  averaging  from 
about  4f  to  5I  feet,  although  one  specimen  has  been  recorded  measuring 
6  feet  5  inches. 


THE   STORY   OF    THE    BEAR. 


The  fur  is  very  dififerent  to  that  of  either  of  the  three  preceding  species, 
being  short  and  smooth,  without  any  under  fur,  and  becoming  very  thin  in 
summer.  In  winter  the  hair  on  the  shoulders  becomes  considerably  elon- 
gated, so  as  to  produce  the  appearance  of  a  kind  of  hump.  The  ears  are 
relatively  large,  and  covered  with  rather  long  hair.  In  addition  to  the  white 
mark  on  the  chest,  the  chin  is  also  white;  while  the  upper  lip  may  be  whitish 
and  the  nose  reddish  brown.  A  broad  skull,  short  muzzle  and  short  black 
claws  complete  the  description. 


THE    FOREST    BEAR   OF    INDIA. 


A  FUNNY  LITTLE   BEAR. 

In  the  Malay  Peninsula  is  found  a  small  bear  with  a  broad  flat  head,  a 
little  nose,  and  long  curved  claws. 

Its  fur  is  very  short  and  coarse,  and  is  mostly  black,  although  tending 
lo  brown  in  some  parts;  the  muzzle  is  paler,  or  whitish,  and  the  light  band  on 
the  chest  varies  from  white  to  orange,  and  sometimes  extends  as  a  streak 


54  THE   STORY   OF    THE    BEAR, 

on  to  the  under  part  of  the  body.  The  length  of  the  head  and  body  is  about 
four  feet  and  never  exceeds  4I  feet.  The  female  is  only  3!  feet,  and  weighs 
about  60  pounds.  This  species  is  found  not  only  in  the  Malay  Peninsula, 
but  in  the  islands  of  Sumatra,  Java,  and  Borneo,  and  also  extends  through 
Burma  into  the  Garo  Hills  in  Northeastern  India.  Of  its  habits  little  is 
known  except  in  captivity.  It  is  a  purely  forest  animal,  and  an  admirable 
climber.  It  lives  on  fruits  and  berries,  but  Hke  other  bears  occasionally  kills 
and  eats  mammals  and  birds.  It  is  said  to  be  very  fond  of  honey,  and  it 
probably  devours  insects  and  larvae.  When  caught  young,  it  is  generally 
easily  tamed,  and  is  usually  gentle  and  amusing  when  in  captivity. 

A  BEAR  THAT  WEARS  SPECTACLES. 

The  only  bears  found  in  South  America  inhabit  the  Andes  Mountains 
in  Peru.  They  all  belong  to  one  family  or  species.  They  are  small  in  size, 
black  in  color,  and  derive  the  name  of  "Spectacled  Bear"  from  the  tawny 
jings  or  semicircles  round  the  eyes,  whereby  a  most  grotesque  appearance 
is  communicated  to  the  whole  physiognomy.  The  jaws,  cheeks,  throat,  and 
chest  are  white;  and  the  whole  length  of  the  animal  is  only  about  3^  feet. 
Little  or  no  information  exists  as  to  its  habits  in  its  native  state. 

It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  spectacled  bear  is  less  savage  than  most  of 
his  congeners.  He  runs  at  the  approach  of  the  hunter,  and  for  this  reason 
there  have  been  few  opportunities  to  study  him. 

The  spectacled  bear  feeds  on  berries,  shrubs  and  honey.  So  far  as  known 
he  gets  little  flesh  food,  for  the  animals  of  the  Andes  upon  which  he  would 
naturally  prey  are  keen  of  scent,  timid  and  swift  of  foot. 

It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  spectacled  bear  is  an  amusing  animal,  for 
aside  from  his  comical  appearance  he  has  been  seen  to  exhibit  playfulness  and 
perform  many  antics. 

The  small  size  of  this  bear  would  preclude  the  possibility  of  his  being  a 
formidable  foe,  and  the  fact  that  none  has  ever  been  captured  shows  that  they 
would  rather  run  than  fight. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  BEAVER. 


"Working  like  a  beaver"  is  a  common  expression  and  means  exactly 
what  it  says,  for  there  is  no  creature  possessed  of  greater  industry  than  this 
little  fur-bearing  animal  found  along  the  streams  of  North  America  and  some 
of  the  larger  European  rivers  such  as  the  Rhone  and  Danube. 

If  men  were  like  beavers  everybody  would  have  a  house  of  his  own  built 
by  himself. 

The  beaver's  house,  or  "lodge,"  as  it  is  called,  is  a  hollow  mound  of 
sticks,  mud  and  stones,  forming  a  cave-like  chamber.  The  floor  is  always 
above  the  water  line  and  is  made  smooth  and  hard  by  mixing  twigs  with 
mud  and  beating  them  into  a  solid  mass.  The  beaver  builds  his  lodge  on  the 
bank  of  a  stream,  or  on  an  island  in  the  stream,  with  the  entrance  under  the 
water.  To  prevent  its  freezing  up  in  the  winter  he  first  builds  a  dam  across 
the  stream  and  deepens  the  water. 

As  beavers  live  together  in  what  are  called  "towns,"  every  inhabitant  of 
the  town  assists  in  building  the  dam  and  keeping  it  in  repair.  With  their 
strong,  long,  sharp,  yellow  teeth  they  cut  down  immense  trees,  and  are  so 
expert  in  this  work  that  the  trees  always  fall  toward  the  dam.  The  branches 
of  the  trees  are  dragged  to  the  stream  and  laid  lengthwise  in  the  current. 
Sometimes  heavy  stones  are  dropped  on  them  to  keep  them  in  place. 

Meanwhile  other  beavers  roll  heavy  logs  from  the  forest  to  the  dam, 
pushing  them  over  and  over  with  their  strong  noses. 

55 


56 


THE   SrORY   OF  THE  BEAVER. 


When  possible  the  timber  for  the  dam  is  cut  "up  stream"  and  floated 
down.  Earth  and  stones  carried  by  the  beavers  between  their  paws  and 
chins  are  mixed  in  with  the  brush  and  logs,  and  last  of  all  the  dam  receives 
a  coat  of  mud,  plastered  on  as  neatly  as  if  it  were  done  by  a  skilled  human 
being. 

There  is  a  popular  belief  that  the  beavers  use  their  tails  as  trowels  when 
performing  this  work  and  smoothing  the  floors  of  their  lodges.  This  is  an 
error  They  use  only  their  paws.  The  beaver's  tail  serves  him  only  as  a 
rudder  when  swimming  and  assist  him  in  diving.  He  always  slaps  the 
water  with  his  tail  just  before  he  dives,  making  a  loud  noise  easily  recog- 


BEAVERS    AND    THEIR    ENEMY,    THE    SEA    OTTER. 

nized  by  trappers.  The  ''whack"  of  a  beaver's  tail  against  the  water  is  also  a 
note  of  alarm  and  warns  his  comrades  of  danger. 

The  height  of  the  water  in  a  beaver  dam  is  regulated  by  an  opening 
through  which  the  surplus  water  escapes.  If  the  beaver  wishes  to  lower  the 
water  he  enlarges  the  opening,  and  closes  it  when  he  wants  the  water  to  rise. 
The  length  of  a  beaver-dam  may  occasionally  be  as  much  as  one  hundred 
and  fifty  or  two  hundred  yards,  and  their  ponds  rnay  cover  many  acres.  Fre- 
quently a  formation  of  peat  commences  round  the  edges  of  the  ponds,  and 
this  may  extend  over  the  whole  area,  converting  it  into  a  swampy  tract 
known  as  a  beaver-meadow.  A  considerable  part  of  the  city  of  Montreal 
is  built  upon  such  beaver-meadows. 

The  outside  of  a  beaver  lodge  is  plastered  over  as  carefully  as  the  dam. 


THE   STORY   OF  THE  BEAVER. 


57 


After  the  walls  of  twigs,  stones  and  mud  have  dried  they  resist  all  attempts  of 
the  beaver's  worst  enemy,  the  wolverine,  to  break  through  them,  and  in 
winter  when  they  are  frozen  trappers  find  it  hard  work  to  make  an  open- 
ing in  them,  even  with  an  axe.     Every  year  a  fresh  coating  of  mud  is  put 


BEAVERS    AT    WORK    AND    PLAY. 


upon  the  lodges,  and  in  a  few  years  the  walls  attain  several  feet  in  thickness. 
When  the  beavers  have  completed  their  dam  and  lodges  they  next  pro- 
vide a  place  of  refuge  to  which  they  may  escape  in  time  of  danger.     This 
refuge  consists  of  a  secret  chamber  dug  in  the  bank  on  the  opposite  side  of 


58  THE   STORY   OF   THE  BEAVER. 

the  stream  from  the  lodge.  The  entrance,  of  course,  is  under  water  and  the 
burrows  extend  back  and  gradually  slope  upward  for  a  distance  of  ten  or 
fifteen  feet.  Above  the  water  line  a  place  is  scooped  out  by  the  busy  little 
paws  large  enough  for  an  entire  family  of  beavers.  The  upper  part  of  the 
chamber  is  near  the  ground,  usually  under  the  roots  of  a  large  tree,  where  a 
few  little  holes  that  would  not  be  noticed  from  outside  afford  ventilation. 

It  is  hard  work  digging  this  secret  chamber,  for  most  of  it  is  under 
water,  and  every  few  minutes  the  beavers  have  to  come  to  the  surface  for  air. 

The  lodges  and  secret  chambers  are  then  supplied  with  soft  grasses  for 
beds  and  sticks  of  birch  and  willow  enveloped  in  the  juicy  bark  which  is 
the  beaver's  principal  food.  His  delicacy,  however,  is  the  root  of  the  yellow 
water  lily  which  he  finds  in  the  bottom  of  his  dam,  even  in  winter  when 
the  surface  is  covered  with  ice. 

Beavers  work  only  at  night,  and  rarely  are  seen  during  the  day.  Not- 
withstanding their  industry  they  are  fond  of  play,  and  will  chase  each  other 
round  and  round  in  the  water,  pushing  each  other  off  of  logs  and  indulging 
in  swimming  and  diving  races. 

The  beaver  is  trapped  for  his  fur  which  is  valuable  and  is  used  principally 
in  the  manufacture  of  winter  garments.  The  fur  consists  of  a  fine  wool 
mixed  with  long  and  stiff  hairs.  The  hairs  are  useless  but  the  fur  is  toothed 
on  the  surface  and  easily  penetrates  and  fixes  itself  into  the  felt  which  forms 
the  body  of  a  hat. 

Formerly  the  great  demand  for  beaver  fur  was  for  the  manufacture  of 
hats,  but  silk  has  largely  taken  its  place  of  late  years. 

The  Hudson  Bay  Company,  a  great  corporation  formed  for  trapping  fur- 
bearing  animals  for  their  skins,  has  greatly  decreased  the  number  of  beavers 
and  they  are  rapidly  becoming  extinct.  The  number  of  beaver-skins  sold 
by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  averages  about  55,000  a  year,  while  in  the 
year  1743  upwards  of  127,080  were  imported  into  Rochelle  alone.  The  price 
varied  from  $1.25  to  $1.50  per  skin.  The  incisor  teeth  of  the  beaver  were 
used  by  the  North  American  Indians,  and  also  by  some  of  the  ancient 
inhabitants  of  the  Old  World,  as  cutting  instruments,  the  bases  being  fixed 
into  a  wooden  handle  with  the  aid  of  twine  or  thongs. 

The  primitive  form  of  trapping  beavers  was  to  cut  holes  in  the  ice  around 
their  lodges  in  which  nets  were  placed  and  the  lodges  torn  open.  The  white 
trappers  then  introduced  steel  traps,  but  it  was  a  long  time  before  a  suitable 
bait  could  be  found.     Finally  it  was  discovered  that  the  beaver  is  fond  of 


THE   STORY   OF  THE   BEAVER. 


59 


castoreiim,  a  pungent  drug  made  from  castor,  a  waxy  substance  found  in 
beavers'  tails. 

Unless  the  beaver  is  caught  near  the  shoulder  he  will  escape  even  from  a 
trap  of  steel,  by  gnawing  of¥  his  leg,  especially  if  he  be  caught  by  the  foreleg. 

Beavers  are  characterized  by  their  stout  and  heavy  bodies,  being  most 


PHOTOGRAPH    OF    BEAVERS    SHINGLING    THEIR    HOUSES,   AND    DRAWING    OF    A    BEAVER  S    HOUSE    ON 
ONE    SIDE    OF    A    STREAM    WITH    HIS    SECRET    HIDING     PLACE    ON    OPPOSITE    BANK. 

marked  in  the  hinder  quarters.  The  head  is  large  and  rounded,  with  short 
ears;  and  the  tail  is  of  moderate  length,  much  flattened,  and  covered  with  a 
naked,  scaly  skin.  The  limbs  are  short,  with  five  sharp-clawed  toes  on  both 
the  fore  and  hind-feet;  all  the  toes  of  the  hind-feet  being  connected  by  a 
web  extending  to  the  roots  of  the  claws.    There  is  an  additional  claw  on  the 


60  THE  STORY  OF  THE  BEAVER. 

second  toe  of  the  hind-foot,  probably  used  in  dressing  the  fur.  The  portion 
of  the  muzzle  surrounding  the  nostrils  is  naked,  as  are  the  soles  of  the  feet, 
while  the  ears  are  scaly.  Both  the  ears  and  the  nostrils  are  capable  of  being 
closed.  The  fur  is  peculiarly  thick  and  soft,  its  general  color  being  reddish 
brown  above,  and  grayer  beneath.  Occasionally  a  white  beaver  is  met  with, 
but  they  are  very  rare. 

At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  America,  the  beaver  of  this  continent 
had  a  wider  distribution  than  any  other  mammal  except  the  puma  (mountain 
lion).  Its  range  extended  from  Alaska  and  the  Hudson's  Bay  district  in  the 
north,  along  the  Atlantic  seaboard  as  far  south  as  Georgia  and  Northern 
Florida,  and  thence  along  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  as  far  as  the  Rio  Grande  in 
Texas,  and  also  some  distance  into  Mexico;  while  on  the  Pacific  Coast  it 
extended  to  California  and  Arizona. 

The  young,  usually  from  three  to  four  in  a  litter,  are  produced  at  the 
close  of  the  winter  or  early  in  the  spring,  in  the  shelter  of  the  burrow  or 
lodge,  but  it  is  not  yet  ascertained  whether  they  are  born  with  their  eyes 
open  or  closed.  Beavers  do  not  hibernate,  rn  the  strict  sense  of  the  term, 
although  during  the  depth  of  the  winter  they  sleep  longer,  and  move  about 
much  less  than  at  other  times. 

In  summer  beavers  generally  forsake  the  neighborhood  of  their  lodges  to 
travel  up  or  down  the  stream;  occasionally  taking  considerable  journeys  on 
land.  With  the  advent  of  early  autumn  they  return  to  their  winter  quarters, 
and  at  once  set  about  the  necessary  repairs  to  the  dam  and  lodges,  and  the 
collection  of  a  supply  of  food  for  the  wdnter. 

The  Hudson's  Bay  Company  has  wisely  assigned  certain  islands  in  its  ter- 
ritory as  beaver-preserves,  where  a  certain  number  of  the  animals  are  killed 
every  third  year  only.  It  has  been  proposed  to  establish  "beaver-ranches" 
in  America,  but  the  attempts  hitherto  made  to  domesticate  these  animals 
do  not  hold  out  much  encouragement  as  to  the  success  of  the  project.  It  is 
true  that  beavers  live  and  become  fairly  tame  in  menageries  (where,  from 
their  nocturnal  habits,  they  are  but  rarely  seen),  but  they  rapidly  deteriorate, 
losing  the  brilHant  gloss  of  their  coats,  and  acquiring  dull,  listless  habits. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  northwest  beaver  skins  were  the  chief  articles  of 
traffic  between  the  Indians  and  the  traders.  My  father  was  a  trader  for  the 
American  Fur  Company  and  I  have  often  listened  with  wonder  to  his  stories 
of  adventure  in  going  from  one  Indian  village  to  another  and  exchanging  a 
few  glass  beads  and  small  quantities  of  powder  and  ball  for  valuable  Ijeaver 
skins. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  BEAVER. 


61 


The  traders  that  made  the  greatest  profit,  however,  out  of  beaver  skin 
obtained  from  the  Indians  were  those  who  traded  whisky  for  skins.  Tlie 
whisky  was  nothing  more  than  high-proof  alcohol,  which  the  trader  diluted 
many  times  with  water.  Five  dollars'  worth  of  this  stuff  would  procure  many 
hundreds  of  dollars'  worth  of  furs. 

The  traders  often  took  desperate  chances  in  dealing  out  this  intoxicating 
poison  to  the  red  men,  for  the  most  peaceable  Indians  when  sober  were  perfect 
demons  when  under  the  influence  of  liquor.     But  the  old  trappers  were  men 


THE  BEAVER  CUTTING  DOWN  TREES  TO  BUILD  A  DAM. 


who  did  not  know  the  name  of  fear,  and  although  they  had  many  narrow 
e.scapes  from  the  intoxicated  savages  very  few  of  them  lost  their  lives  at  the 
hands  of  the  redskins. 

This  style  of  traffic  w'as  much  more  fatal  tO'  the  Indians,  for  when  an 
Indian  had  traded  his  beaver  skins  for  the  diluted  alcohol,  he  almost  invariably 
wound  up  his  spree  by  beating  or  killing  his  wife  or  some  other  Indian  with 
whom  he  may  have  had  a  previous  call.     To  the  pioneer  traders  must  be 


62  THE   STORY   OF  THE  BEAVER. 

charged  much  of  the  debasement  of  the  Indian  tribes  of  the  Northwest  terri^ 
tory  through  the  use  of  hquor. 

The  Indians  had  a  greater  regard  for  the  beaver  than  they  did  for  any 
other  fur-bearing  animal,  and  ahhoiigh  they  hunted  and  trapped  them  and 
sold  their  skins  for  gew-gaws,  baubles  and  firewater,  the  little  animals  were 
associated  with  many  Indian  traditions  and  legends. 

The  very  large  beavers  inspired  both  reverence  and  fear  in  the  hearts  of 
some  of  the  tribes.  I  remember  having  heard  my  father  tell  a.  story  of  an 
Indian  who'  accompanied  one  of  his  expeditions  which  illustrates  the  foregoing 
remark.  The  Indian  was  out  quite  late  one  night  setting  the  traps.  In  order 
to  get  back  to  camp  he  had  toi  row  across  a  lake.  When  he  arrived  on  the 
shore  where  my  father  had  made  camp  he  was  badly  frightened,  and  made  no 
attempt  to  conceal  his  fear.  When  questioned,  he  said  that  out  in  the  middle 
of  the  lake  an  enormous  beaver  had  swum  right  by  his  canoe.  He  declared 
that  it  was  as  big  as  a  deer  and  that  it  could  swim  as  fast  as  an  arrow  could  fly. 

He  was  asked  why  he  did  not  try  tO'  kill  it,  and  frankly  replied  that  lie 
was  afraid,  because  he  believed  that  the  spirit  of  Kitchi  Manitou  (the  Indians' 
God)  dwelt  in  all  of  these  big  beavers. 

My  father  had  nO'  such  superstitious  fear,  and  he  was  rejoiced  the  next 
morning  tO'  find  a  beaver  of  tremendous  size  (although  much  smaller  than 
the  Indian  had  described)  in  one  of  the  traps.  He  proved  to  be  the  father  of 
a  big  beaver  village  nearby  and  his  skin  brought  more  than  twice  as  much  as 
that  of  an  ordinary  beaver. 

Beaver  skins  were  worth  at  that  time  about  seven  dollars  a  pound,  and  as 
each  skin  weighed  something  over  two-  pounds  the  trapper  could  average 
about  fifteen  Hollars  per  skin. 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS 


Eastward  from  Nairobi,  between  the  Athi  and  Tana  rivers  and  for 
miles  around  Mount  Kenia,  is  the  great  region  which  has  well  been  termed 
the  paradise  of  hunters  for  big  game.  It  is  a  country-  so  varied  in  surface 
and  soil — presenting  jungles,  dry  plains,  grassy  hills,  rocky  steeps,  wooded 
streams — that  no  variety  of  famous  game  is  without  a  home  and  retreat. 
Even  the  monkeys  have  their  inaccessible  grounds  in  the  region  of  Mount 
Kenia. 


NAIROBI  AS  THE  GREAT  OUTFITTING  POINT. 

Naturally,  Nairobi  is  the  central  point  for  the  final  organization  and  out- 
fitting of  the  hunting  expeditions,  or  caravan  parties  (safari),  and  in  the 
busy  season  (say  from  December  to  March)  it  is  nothing  unusual  to  see  two 
or  three  starting  out  daily.  The  caravans  are  also  arriving  from  the  East  and 
Southeast,  some  even  overhauling  the  train  and  obtaining  more  modern  trans- 
port than  afoot,  the  porters  loaded  down  with  antelope  meat,  elephant  tusks, 
lion  skins,  and  other  trophies  of  the  chase.  On  the  same  train  which  pulls 
into  Nairobi  may  be  a  refrigerator  car  packed  with  ice,  fresh  sea  fish  and 
foreign  fruits  and  vegetables.  These  are  probably  consigned  to  some  Euro- 
pean or  Hindu  merchant — most  likely  the  latter — w'ho  will  easily  dispose  of 
his  stock  to  the  hotels,  the  thousand  or  more  English,  German  and  American 
residents,  or  the  aristocratic  and,  at  the  same  time,   democratic  plantation 

owners  to  the  East. 

63 


64 


nOOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


HOSPITABLE  PLANTERS  OF  THE  HUNTERS'  PARADISE. 

To  these  great  estates,  some  of  them  many  thousand  acres  in  extent,  good 
roads  lead  across  country  from  the  raih-oads,  some  hundred  miles  in  all  direc- 
tions.    Not  only  does  this  new  landed  aristocracy  make  some  attempt  at  rais- 


Copyright  1909.  by 
Underwood  &  Underwood. 


WATERFALL — TANA  RIVER  DISTRICT. 


ing  potatoes  and  European  fruits  and  vegetables,  but  strongly  corraled  cattle 
as  well,  and  it  has  been  prophesied  that,  with  the  gradual  moulding  of  the 
natives  into  industrious  and  skilled  agriculturists  this  region  and  other  sec- 
tions to  the  Northwest  will  become  great  producers  of  cotton.     The  frontier' 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


65 


post  of  British  civilization  northeast  from  Nairobi,  and  the  virtual  termination 
of  this  hunters'  paradise,  is  Fort  Hall,  on  the  Tana  river,  nearly  opposite 
Mount  Kenia  and  about  ninety  miles  from  the  railroad.  It  is  a  supply  station 
for  the  hunters  of  the  region,  an  emblem  also  of  British  authority,  and  is  the 
terminus  of  the  telegraphic  and  telephonic  system,  which  centers  at  Nairobi. 
Excluding  the  African  game  from  the  picture  and  some  other  features  of  the 
landscape,  one  might  well  imagine  that  he  was  among  well-to-do  Western 
farmers  of  the  United  States.     But  as  the  East  African  host  arises  from  a 


HIPPOPOTAMI   BASKING   IN   THE   SUN. 


good  dinner  adapted  to  English,  German  or  American  taste,  takes  polite  leave 
of  My  Lady,  adjourns  to  the  smoking  room,  leisurely  finishes  a  Havana,  takes 
his  rifle  from  the  walls,  hands  another  to  his  guest,  and  then  adjourns  to  the 
broad  veranda  to  see  if  any  lions,  leopards  or  wildebeests  are  in  sight — it  is 
then  quite  certain  that  we  are  in  New  Africa. 

Wise  man  that  he  was,  Theodore  Roosevelt  chose  such  agreeable  and 
favorable  surroundings  as  these  to  extend  his  knowledge  of  the  wild  beasts 
of  the  world,  and  enjoy  the  excitement  and  the  healthful  exercise  of  the  chase. 


66 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


The  intimation  is  not  to  be  conveyed  for  a  moment  that  he  was  any  parlor 
hunter.     But  who  would  refuse  the  friendship  and  hospitality  of  such  men  a? 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

CURING  STRIPS  OF  ANTELOPE  MEAT  AFTER  A  HUNT. 


Lieutenant  E.  W.  Jackson,  in  charge  of  the  British  game  reserves,  and  acting 
governor  of  the  protectorate;  of  Sir  Alfred  Pease,  whose  plantation  is  near 
Mackakos  and  the  Athi  river,  about  thirty  miles  southeast  of  Nairobi;  or  of 


ROOSEVELT  MUNTINC  GROUNDS.  67 

William  N.  McMillan,  of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  United  States  of  America? 
The  last  named,  one  of  the  expert  hunters  of  Africa,  is  proprietor  of  a  plan- 
tation of  20,000  acres  in  the  great  Athi  plains,  twenty-two  miles  east  of 
Nairobi,  his  vast  estate  of  big-  game  being  modestly  called  Juja  Farm.  All  of 
taese  gallant  landlords,  wiuh  their  ladies  and  others,  were  proud  to  entertain 
the  ex-President  and  point  his  party  in  the  right  directions  for  game,  and, 
of  all  men,  Theodore  Roosevelt  was  the  most  ready  to  be  thoroughly  pleased 
with  their  kindness  and  helpfulness.  Mr.  McMillan  is  the  special  patron 
(saint)  of  the  American  sportsman,  and,  as  one  of  his  guests  has  put  the 
matter :  "At  the  African  home  of  my  American  host,  all  East  African  game 
is  abundant  except  rhinoceros  and  elephant,  sable,  roan  antelope  and  oryx; 
but  the  last  are  to  be  had  by  a  joumey  of  from  two  to  five  days  (to  the  Mount 
Kenia  region).  Hundreds  of  game  animals  are  nearly  always  in  sight  from 
the  veranda  of  the  house.  I  have  lighted  a  cigarette  in  my  room  at  daylight, 
gone  forth  and  killed  a  big  wildebeest  bull  before  the  cigarette  was  con- 
sumed. In  fact,  the  20,000  acres  of  Juja  Farm  so  swarm  with  game  after 
the  rains  that  before  the  dry  season  is  half  over  the  grass  is  eaten  as  short  as 
on  an  overcrowded  cattle  range ;  and  all  from  the  overflow  of  the  great 
game  reserves  north  and  south  of  us.  Notwithstanding  their  great  numbers, 
it  takes  marksmanship  to  get  game  on  the  Athi  plains;  for  they  are  bare  of 
cover  and  it  is  unusual  to  get  a  shot  at  anything  except  lion  or  hippopotamus 
short  of  from  three  to  six  hundred  yards."  Further  east  toward  and  beyond 
the  Tana  rivers  and  around  Mount  Kenia  are  to  be  found  the  other  kinds  of 
game  which  were  hunted  and  shot  by  the  Roosevelt  party — the  elephant,  dur- 
ing the  dry  season  in  the  dense  mountain  thickets  and,  during  the  rains,  in 
the  bush  and  long  grass  country;  hippopotami  in  the  rivers  in  the  daytime, 
or  along  the  banks  from  dusk  to  morning;  rhinoceros  in  every  unexpected 
place;  antelope  generally  on  the  open  plains;  little  dik-dik,  leaping  through 
the  long  grass ;  leopards  everywhere,  but  as  elusive  as  snakes ;  reedbuck  in  the 
scrub  of  steep  rocky  hills;  lions  prowling  wherever  their  game  abounds,  seek- 
ing especially  the  zebra  and  all  the  equine  kind;  and  the  bufifalo,  in  dark 
swamps  and  forests,  or  concealed  in  high  elephant  grass.  With  these  de- 
scriptions, the  reader  should  be  able  to  form  a  mind  picture  of  the  hunting 
grounds  over  which  Roosevelt  ranged  for  several  months,  with  the  sportsmen 
and  naturalists  of  his  party,  under  the  general  and  skillful  guidance  of  Mr. 
Cunninghame.  At  this  point  in  the  narrative  it  seems  desirable  to  describe, 
somewhat  in  detail,  the  beautiful  and  surprising  gems  of  landscape  to  be  seen 
in  the  Mount  Kenia  region,  the  eastern  limits  of  the  Roosevelt  hunt. 


68  ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 

BETWEEN  NAIROBI  AND  FORT  HALL. 

A  good  road  for  carriages,  wagons  or  automobiles — and  you  see 
them  all — runs  from  Nairobi,  via  Fort  Hall  and  Embo,  to  the  wonder- 
ful region  of  which  Mount  Kenia  is  the  center.  Embo  is  twenty-eight 
miles  from  Fort  Hall  and  is  the  most  distant  military  post  which  the 
British  have  established  in  that  direction.  Fort  Hall  is  nearly  opposite 
Mount  Kenia,  south  of  the  Tana  River,  and  Embo  lies  to  the  southeast 
of  that  wonderful  dome  of  nature. 

v.- 

The  road  which  takes  one  to  these  outposts  passes  through  a  varied 
country,  often  wild  and  seamed  with  gorges  in  its  first  stages,  but  gen- 
erally fertile  and  well  watered  by  various  tributaries  of  the  Athi  and 
Tana  rivers.  The  spacious  colonial  estates,  or  ranches,  are  scattered 
along  the  route  for  thirty  or  forty  miles  from  Nairobi.  One  farm  may 
grow  coffee — which  is  such  a  luxuriant  crop — and  on  the  next  estate 
may  be  herded  together,  by  a  native  child  or  full-grown,  a  miscellaneous 
but  placid  assortment  of  ostriches,  sheep  and  cattle.  A  complete  dairy 
farm  is  liable  to  be  in  operation  in  the  vicinity;  also  a  truck  garden  pro- 
ducing sweet  potatoes,  Indian  corn,  beans  and  other  vegetables  may 
adjoin  it.  At  one  place  is  to  be  found  a  plucky  English  family  grap- 
pling with  a  ten-thousand  acre  farm,  their  neighbor  an  old  Boer,  who. 
after  having  treked  the  length  of  Africa  to  avoid  the  British  flag,  now 
stolidly  smokes  his  pipe  by  his  grass  house,  tends  to  his  small  herd  of 
indifferent  looking  cattle ;  in  his  way,  is  hospitable  to  his  British  co- 
workers, and  eager  enough  to  show  the  tourist  what  he  knows  about 
the  whereabouts  of  lions. 

About  half  a  day's  safari  from  Fort  Hall,  where  the  Chania  and  Thika 
rivers  effect  a  juncture  with  the  main  stream  of  the  Tana,  is  a  beautiful 
meadowy  tract  within  sight  and  hearing  of  fine  plunging  waterfalls,  and 
the  locality  is  one  of  the  favorite  camping  grounds  for  lion  hunters.  It 
is  an  agreeable  programme,  after  indulging  in  the  sport  the  first  half  of 
the  day,  to  spend  the  afternoon  in  a  ride  to  Fort  Hall,  through  a  green, 
comparatively  smooth  and  pleasant  country.  There  will  be  found  the 
commissioner's  house,  with  a  ditch  around  it,  a  jail,  an  Indian  bazaar 
and  a  few  houses  for  the  militia  and  police.  If  the  visitor  is  fortunate, 
he  will  arrive  while  a  great  gathering  of  Kikuku  chiefs,  warriors  and 
women  is  loudly  discussing  the  dance  of  the  following  morning.  He 
will  then  accept  the  commissioner's  invitation  to  stay  over  night.    In  the 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

WARRIORS,  WOMEN,  AND  CHILDREN,  AT    FORT    HALL    WAITING  TO  GREET  THE  GREAT  AMERICAN, 

AND  PARADE  AND  DANCE  IN   HIS  HONOR.  59 


70  ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 

morning,  long  before  daylight,  the  whole  space  in  front  of  the  fort  is 
packed  with  almost  naked  warriors,  while  the  beating  of  drums,  the 
blowing  of  horns  and  the  chanting  of  voices  in  a  crude  rhythm  fully 
awakes  all  would-be  sight  seers  to  the  coming  war  dance.  And  when 
the  "indaba''  does  begin,  later  in  the  morning,  it  is  a  sight  to  be  remem- 
bered. The  pack  of  plumed,  squirming,  gyrating,  yelling  warriors,  their 
hair  and  chocolate  colored  bodies  smeared  with  red  earth  and  glistening 
with  the  slimy  juice  of  the  castor  oil  plant ;  legs  and  arms  encircled  with 
twisted  wire  or  heavier  iron  ornaments ;  leopard  skins  waving  from  their 
shoulders,  and  their  broad  cowhide  or  rhinoceros  shields,  painted  with 
tribal  emblems,  and  long  spears  clashing  together,  as  particular  chiefs 
advance  and  retreat  in  the  dance,  or  as  gifts  of  live  sheep  and  bulls  are 
brought  forward  into  the  arena — these  are  the  weird  features  of  the  exhi- 
bition. The  laughable  side  of  the  picture  is  the  obvious  fondness  of  the 
African  warrior  for  any  European  article  of  clothing,  which  he  proudly 
parades  before  his  people — an  old  pair  of  trousers,  a  torn  jacket, 
a  weather-stained  uniform,  a  ragged  umbrella  or  battered  helmet.  Mix- 
ing such  articles  as  these  with  their  time-honored  ostrich  plumes,  capes 
of  leopard  skin,  belts  of  monkey  fur  and  metal  anklets  and  bracelets,  is  a 
characteristic  but  still  ludicrous  mingling  of  New  and  Old  Africa. 

ON  TO  THE  EXTREME  EASTERN  POST. 

The  road  to  Embo  is  through  a  beautiful  country  well  cultivated  by 
the  natives,  and  the  thoroughfare  itself  is  maintained  by  them  (under 
the  supervision  of  the  district  commissioner)  in  such  good  shape  that  a 
bicycle  could  take  to  it  without  fear  of  a  puncture.  The  Tana  is  crossed 
by  a  ferry,  which  travels  along  a  rope  impelled  by  the  current  of  the 
river.  This  convenience  is  only  for  such  human  kind  as  Colonel  Roose- 
velt and  his  party ;  their  ponies  have  to  swim  the  sixty  yards  of  foaming 
water,  reddened  by  washings  from  the  soil.  From  the  further  bank  is 
obtained  a  noble  view  of  Mount  Kenia,  gradually  rising  from  its  great 
base  to  an  altitude  little  short  of  Kilimanjaro.  All  along  the  road  smil- 
ing, peaceable  natives  meet  the  traveler  with  extended  hand — in  the 
other  a  spear  or  sword — and  the  only  real  danger  to  be  feared  is  the  mad, 
sudden  and  unaccountable  charge  of  some  hidden  buffalo.  Embo  is  at 
length  reached.  It  consists  of  a  one-story,  three-roomed  stone  house 
containing  quarters  for  the  commissioner  and   military  oiificer,  as  well 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS.  7\ 

as  a  jail;  two  Indian  bazaars  built  of  corrugated  iron,  and  several  rows 
of  grass  huts  for  the  150  soldiers  and  police  on  duty.  Embo  stands 
for  the  authority  which  keeps  in  subjection  75,000  natives,  most  of  them 
little  beyond  savagery.  Its  terrible  jail  consists  of  a  tiny  room,  seldom 
occupied  by  a  prisoner  except  as  a  comfortable  sleeping  place.  Now 
that  the  native  tribes  are  pacified  the  soldiers  have  little  to  do,  while  the 
police  are  mainly  concerned  with  the  enforcement  of  the  game  laws.  The 
civil  authorities  stationed  at  Embo  and  Fort  Hall  have  under  their  eyes 
the  Mount  Kenia  region,  which  is  wonderful  both  for  its  beauties  as  well 
as  zoological  variety. 


A  BABOON'S  PARADISE. 

Perhaps  the  first  noteworthy  feature  of  the  approach  to  Mount  Kenia 
is  the  bright  colors  of  the  flowers — blue,  yellow,  pink  and  crimson.  After 
a  rain  the  velts  are  covered  with  these  little  beauties,  which  protest 
against  the  general  charge  that  an  East  African  landscape  is  almost 
colorless.  As  the  blue-wooded  ridges  skirting  the  mountain  unfold  in 
detail,  the  stunted  jumper  appears  and  higher  still  the  wild  olive  grows 
along  the  river  banks.  Still  miles  away  from  the  actual  base  of  Kenia, 
approaching  from  the  northwest,  the  traveler  enters  a  tract  which  has 
never  been  better  described  than  in  the  following:  "The  level  country 
is  thickly  sov/n  for  twenty-five  miles  with  great  masses  of  red  granite, 
outcroppings  of  the  same  formation.  A  Celt  would  say  that  the  devil 
or  the  giants  had  been  at  war  or  play  in  the  old  days,  and  that  these 
rocks  were  the  mighty  sling-stones  they  had  hurled  from  the  mountains 
at  each  other.  Some  of  them  are  one  hundred  feet  high,  some  nearer 
four  hundred  feet ;  all  are  imposing.  Round  their  rocky  bases  the  grass 
grows  so  smooth  and  fresh  it  might  be  a  carefully  tended  lawn.  Some- 
times the  dust  of  the  great  stones  must  have  added  a  richness  to  the 
soil;  and  the  sward,  smooth  still,  has  buried  their  broad  bases  for  some 
feet  under  its  carpet.  Then  the  prairie  falls  away  from  one,  and  rises 
gently  towards  the  next  in  curves  and  dips  of  green.  They  are  half  a 
mile  apart,  or  only  fifty  yards,  as  it  may  be.  Some  rise  sheer  and  steep 
with  no  crack  or  crevice  for  bush  or  vine.  On  some  dwarfed  wild  fig 
trees  climb  and  cling.  All  are  of  a  rich  red  granite,  and  the  sides  and 
crowns  shine  and  glisten  gloriously  in  the  light  of  the  rising  and  set- 
ting sun.     In  the  highest  and  most  inaccessible,  great  troops   of  little 


72  ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 

gray  monkeys  have  found  the  safest  of  hiding-places  and  of  homes. 
There  no  cHmbing  serval,  cat  or  leopard  can  do  them  harm,  and  up  and 
down  the  sheer  sides  of  the  cliffs  they  race  and  play — they  look  just  like 
flies  walking  on  the  ceiling;  not  like  animals  at  all. 

"As  I  got  nearer  still  to  the  densely  wooded  country  that  lies  before 
me,  the  masses  of  rock  gradually  soften  their  outline  and  merge  them- 
selves in  higher  and  more  regular  hills  and  ridges,  always  covered  with 
greenery,  that  rise  up  and  up  till  they  meet  the  great  flanks  of  Kenia. 
The  sun  was  now  high  in  the  heaven — yet  the  vapors  still  clung  among 
these  purple-blue  foothills.  In  other  lands  you  see  the  clouds  rise  up 
slowly,  steadily  from  the  woodland.  Here  sometimes  they  have  a  way 
of  rising  all  their  own — the  breeze  bids  them  be  going,  but  they  linger 
and  cling  as  it  were  to  their  home  of  the  night  that  is  over." 

GREAT  HUNTING  GROUNDS  OF  LAIKIPIA   PLAINS. 

The  above  is  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  W.  S.  Rainsford,  a  former  New 
York  clergyman,  who  has  tracked  and  killed  big  game  all  over  the 
grounds  covered  by  the  Roosevelt  expedition,  from  Mount  Elgon,  above 
Lake  Victoria  Nyanza,  to  the  Mount  Kenia  region.  In  one  day's 
approach  to  that  glorious  mountain,  through  various  tracts  of  beauties 
and  surprises,  he  records  a  sudden  stumbling  on  two  rhinos  among  the 
bush;  in  his  circuit  to  avoid  them,  running  into  an  ostrich  family  hid- 
den in  a  gully ;  a  striking  view  of  seven  giraffes  twining  their  necks  and 
feeding  among  the  topmost  boughs  of  a  thorn  tree ;  meeting  herds  of 
oryx  on  the  plains,  and  footprints  of  lions,  elephants  and  antelopes  cross- 
ing his  path  in  all  directions ;  and  the  noiseless  crawling  of  a  huge  croco- 
dile from  a  river  sand  bank  into  the  yellow  stream.  Finally  comes  a 
stretch  of  curving,  green  meadows  pressing  up  to  the  mountain  forests 
of  Mount  Kenia.  Dense  as  these  are,  with  giant  bamboo  more  than 
sixty  feet  in  height,  they  have  been  penetrated  to  the  bare  uplands,  ten 
thousand  feet  above.  Herds  of  elephant  and  buffalo  are  common  in 
these  almost  untrodden  mountain  solitudes;  but  the  chosen  home  of 
the  rhinoceros  is  along  the  dry  and  barren  slopes  of  the  Guaso  Nyiro 
River,  covered  with  cactus  growths. 

In  these  terrible  cactus  jungles  of  the  Laikipia  Plains  have  occurred 
some  of  the  most  narrow  escapes,  and  also  the  most  awful  deaths,  of 
rhinoceros  hunters.     Further  away  from  the  river  are  favorite  grounds 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


73 


for  various  kinds  of  antelope  and  fairly  out  on  the  veldt,  between  the 
wooded  hills  and  the  plains  which  stretch  to  Mount  Kenia  is  found 
great  numbers  of  the  noble  African  antelope  known  as  the  oryx.  His 
special  haunt  is  a  few  miles  up  the  Guaso  Nyiro  River,  above  its  junc- 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

HEADWATERS  OF  GUASO  NYIRO THE   HUNTER'S  PARADISE. 


ture  with  the  Guaso  Narak  and  among  the  red  granite  kopjes  wdiich  rise 
from  the  Laikipia  Plains.  This  is  a  lion  country  also ;  and  it  is  no 
unusual  sight  to  see  a  dead  king  of  beasts  impaled  on  the  long  sharp 
horns  of  the  oryx,  which  also  lies  dead  beside  his  victim.  Further,  the 
headwaters  of  the  Guaro  Nyiro  River  are  said  to  embrace  one  of  the 
greatest  buffalo  grounds  in  East  Africa. 


74  ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 

WHERE  TO  FIND  THE  COLOBUS  MONKEY. 

In  this  secluded  region  of  clear  sweet  water,  great  juniper  trees, 
stately  ferns  and  wide-spreading  chestnuts,  the  chattering  parrots  and 
monkeys  also  hold  high  carnival.  This  special  land  of  canyons  and 
botanic  luxuriance  has  been  selected  by  the  shy  and  pretty  colobus 
monkey  as  his  own.  The  region  around  Kijabe,  where  the  Roosevelt 
hunters  shot  their  first  specimens  of  this  species,  is  virtually  deserted  in 
comparison  with  the  tropical  tangles  around  the  headwaters  of  the  Guaso 
Nyiro.  In  the  early  morning  the  cry  of  the  colobus  sounds  through 
these  dense  woodlands,  like  the  rapid  grinding  of  a  cofTee  mill.  There 
he  sits  on  a  high  branch  of  a  juniper  so  as  to  be  well  in  the  sun,  drying 
his  fine  coat  of  white  and  black  and  his  long  snowy  tail,  after  his  night's 
sleep  in  the  dewy  depths  of  the  woods.  It  seems  a  pity  to  end  his  little 
life,  even  for  the  sake  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  or  in  the  world- 
wide interest  of  natural  history. 

TRACKING  THE  BIG  GAME. 

The  true  modern  hunter  finds  his  greatest  excitement  in  the  ''chase, " 
however  great  his  satisfaction  may  be  in  overtaking  the  big  game  and 
bringing  it  to  earth ;  and  in  skilful  tracking,  although  the  native's  services 
are  usually  brought  into  use,  the  white  hunter  is  often  able  to  give  away 
points  and  still  beat  the  black  man  at  the  game  he  has  been  playing  for 
generations.  With  all  his  wonderful  keenness  of  the  senses,  in  which 
he  runs  so  close  a  race  with  the  big  game  itself,  the  black  tracker  lacks 
the  general  intelligence  of  the  white  to  draw  the  correct  conclusion  from 
what  he  sees,  hears  and  smells.  But  by  using  the  black  hunter  as  his 
tool,  his  extra  hand,  the  white  sportsman  gets  a  combination  which  lion, 
rhino,  buftalo,  hippo,  wildbeest  or  antelope  find  hard  to  beat.  This 
was  the  union  which  made  the  Roosevelt  expedition  so  effective. 

In  running  down  their  big  game  the  old  hunters  in  the  party,  such 
as  Selous  and  Cunninghame,  were  able  to  distinguish  the  animals  from 
its  spoor  or  track,  as  readily  as  the  best  natives  in  the  party.  They  had 
not  only  seen  them  in  many  countries,  and  on  all  kinds  of  soil,  but  had 
even  studied  their  forms  in  dozens  of  books  illustrated  with  reproduced 
photographs.  Each  native  could  judge  only  from  his  limited  experience. 
First,  the  white  hunter  realizes  that  he  should  learn  to  distinguish  the' 
track  of  a  full-grown  bull  of  any  species,  as  the  game  laws  so  jealously 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS.  73 

guard  the  female  and  her  young.  Usually  the  tracks  of  the  female  are 
smaller,  while  those  of  the  young  have  an  unformed  appearance.  It 
is  also  remembered  by  the  expert  that  the  same  spoor  will  look  differ- 
ently on  hard  or  soft  ground,  clayey  or  sandy  soil,  and  according  to  the 
action  of  the  animal  when  he  leaves  his  tracks — whether  he  is  walking, 
trotting  or  galloping.  If  the  ground  is  very  gritty,  the  shallow  impress 
left  by  the  big  game  is  invisible  when  viewed  from  above,  although  it 
may  be  seen  obliquely  several  yards  away.  The  hunter  governs  him- 
self accordingly  when  he  comes  across  this  kind  of  soil.  If  the  ground 
is  very  rocky,  no  actual  track  may  be  visible,  but  the  hunter  is  then  on 
the  lookout  for  pebbles  or  stones  overturned,  exposing  the  earthy  side, 
with  the  weather-beaten  side  down ;  or  vegetation  rubbed  off  the  rocks, 
bruised  or  even  bent.  There  is  another  form  of  spoor  occurring  on  hard, 
dry  soil,  sometimes  made  by  a  buck,  but  usually  by  a  lion,  rhino  and  the 
softer  footed  animals ;  that  is  a  slight  brushing  of  the  ground  with  the 
pad,  dislodging  a  little  dust  and  giving  the  soil  a  somewhat  lighter  color 
than  that  surrounding  it. 

Then  there  is  the  grassy  country.  If  the  grass  is  short  and  green,  it 
is  not  difficult  to  trace  the  progress  of  the  animal  by  the  bruised  appear- 
ance of  the  track.  The  line  of  drooping  blades  shows  the  direction  the 
animal  has  taken  and  a  little  patience  will  be  rewarded  by  some  bare  soil 
with  a  distinct  track.  Of  all  varieties  of  grass  country  the  most  trying 
for  the  trackers  is  that  covered  by  the  huge  elephant  grass,  as  it  is  usually 
trampled  in  well  beaten  paths  by  rhino,  buffalo  and  elephant.  As  the 
big  game  has  continually  to  be  followed  over  such  ground,  the  plan  of 
the  hunter  is  to  follow  a  well-defined  run,  and  whenever  a  branch  path 
leads  away  follow  it  in  the  hope  of  discovering  some  tracks  on  other 
spoor  which  will  point  to  the  nature  of  the  game  and  the  comparative 
time  of  his  passage.  Sometimes  by  lifting  the  thick  layers  of  dead  grass 
the  tender  shoots  beneath  w411  be  found  freshly  bruised,  yielding  at  least 
a  portion  of  the  information  sought. 

Returning  to  the  tracks  of  the  big  game  hunted  and  killed  by  Roose- 
velt and  his  party,  it  may  be  stated  in  general  terms  that  the  spoor  of  the 
lion's  forefoot,  as  of  all  cat-like  animals,  is  rounded  and  wider  than  that 
of  the  hindfoot.  It  is  larger  than  that  of  the  leopard,  and  the  track  of 
the  male  is  considerably  larger  than  that  of  the  female.  Claw  marks  do 
not  show  unless  the  animal  is  about  to  spring,  and  then  they  cut  deeply 
into  the  ground,  tearing  up  earth  and  grass. 


76 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


The  tracks  of  the  elephant  are  considerably  larger  than  those  of  the 
rhino  and  hippo,  and,  unlike  these,  hardly  show  any  toe  marks,  except 
a  faint  impress  of  the  two  front  ones.  When  stampeding  these  two  toes 
show  a  deeper  impression,  especially  in  the  forefeet.  With  both  ele- 
phant and  buck  the  hind  track  is  smaller  and  more  oblong  than  the  fore. 
The  tracks  of  the  rhino  and  hippo  are  much  the  same  size,  but  when 
seen  at  all  clearly  may  be  readily  distinguished;  as  the  former  has  three 
broad  toes  which  usually  leave  a  firm  impress,  while  the  hippo  has  four 


S^v*^  '^ 


AN  OLD  ELEPHANT  KILLED  NEAR  MT.  ELGON. 

The  length  of  tusks  indicate  that  he  was  at  least  150  years  old. 

pointed  toes  with  nails.  The  buffalo  leaves  a  track  not  unlike  that  of 
cattle,  but  much  larger.  It  is  often  confused  with  that  of  the  eland;  that 
is,  the  track  of  a  full  grown  bull  eland  is  sometimes  hard  to  distinguish 
from  that  of  a  small  bufifalo.  But  buffalo  leave  a  cleaner-cut  spoor  than 
the  eland's,  walk  flatter  footed  and,  moreover,  leave  another  mark  of 
their  identity  which  is  unmistakable.  The  droppings  of  the  bufifalo'  not 
only  resemble  those  of  cattle  on  a  large  scale,  but  the  second  day  after 
they  are  deposited  the  maggot  of  the  Mputsi  fly  appear  in  the  dung. 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


// 


This  fly  lays  its  eggs  in  no  other  dung  than  that  of  cattle.  Another 
habit  of  the  rhino  also  tells  the  hunter  that  he  is  not  following  the  hippo, 
elephant  or  other  big  game.  The  rhino  does  not  scatter  his  droppings 
along  his  route,  but  after  depositing  them  in  one  place  for  a  time  returns, 
scatters  the  pile  and  scratches  earth  over  it. 

Having  learned  to  recognize  the  tracks  of  the  fore  and  hind  feet  of 
the  big  game,  the  next  thing  to  be  considered  is  the  manner  of  placing 
them  while  in  motion.  In  the  case  of  the  buck,  while  walking  the  hind 
foot  is  in  front  of  the  forefoot;  on  a  jog,  on  top  or  slightly  behind,  and 


Copyright  1909,  by 
Underwood  &  Underwood. 


SKINNING  AN   ELAND  ANTELOPE. 


while  on  a  gallop  the  hoofs  are  always  spread  out.  The  lengths  of  strides 
of  the  different  animals  at  their  different  paces  have  also  to  be  learned; 
and  putting  various  indications  together,  the  hunter  will  be  able  to  form 
a  tolerably  correct  conclusion  as  to  the  distance  he  will  be  obliged  to 
travel  before  overtaking  his  game. 

Sometimes  when  all  signs  of  tracks  and  droppings  are  insufficient, 
the  browsings  of  the  big  beasts  leave  their  tell-tale.  Suppose  the  hunter 
in  a  tangled  country  of  elephant  grass,  such  as  abounds  in  the  Mount 
Kenia  region,  should  find  his  path  crossed  and  recrossed  with  tracks  of 


78'  ROOSEVELT  HUMTWG  GROUNDS. 

elephants,  rhinos,  eland  and  other  big  game.  He  is  after  one  kind,  not 
all.  His  surest  plan  to  get  on  the  track  of  his  particular  game  is  to 
closely  note  the  browsing  indications.  A  branch  torn  from  a  thorn  tree, 
or  a  bit  of  chewed  thorn  dropped  on  the  ground  shows  that  he  is  in  the 
wake  of  a  rhino,  while  a  long  strip  of  bark  torn  from  the  top  of  a  tree 
would  mean  elephant.  As  he  walks  along  the  latter  is  in  the  habit  of 
gathering  young  shoots  with  his  trunk  and  after  eating  the  leaves, 
throwing  little  bundles  of  stalks  on  either  side  of  the  pathway.  The 
eland  seems  careless  and  destructive,  tearing  off  great  branches  from 
the  trees,  stripping  off  the  bark  and  scattering  everything  right  and  left. 
The  condition  of  the  browsings  left  behind  also  affords  the  tracker  some 
of  his  surest  indications  as  to  the  comparative  time  which  has  elapsed 
since  the  game  was  on  the  ground.  The  sap  at  the  break  of  a  limb ;  the 
bruise  on  the  grass  or  bush  ;  the  rubbings  of  the  buck's  horns  against 
the  tree  ;  the  condition  of  the  droppings — a  dozen  and  one  signs  will  tell 
the  hunter  whether  he  is  on  a  comparatively  fresh  track.  Then,  with 
an  intimate  knowledge  of  the  habits  of  the  beast — especially  his  regular 
times  of  going  to  water  and  his  characteristic  conduct  when  he  knows 
that  he  is  stalked — and  the  hunter  will  eventually  run  down  his  game. 
The  next  desideratum  is  to  keep  cool,  and  patiently  wait  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  get  in  the  vital  shot. 

THE   PROMISING  DEATH   SHOTS. 

All  big  game  hunters  now  agree  that  the  brain  shot  is  the  proper  one 
for  the  elephant.  But  it  is  not  often  attempted,  from  the  fact  that  the 
brain  is  ver}^  small  in  comparison  with  the  bony  structure  around  it. 
When  the  sportsman  accurately  knows  the  position  of  the  brain — that 
it  is  fairly  low  and  well  back — he  takes  the  ear  orifice  and  the  eye  as 
indexes  of  the  general  line  of  his  shot.  If  he  gets  a  broadside  position, 
he  aims  for  a  spot  about  two  inches  forward  of  the  ear  hole  in  a  line 
with  the  eye.  A  direct  frontal  shot  is  avoided  as  too  uncertain.  A 
bullet  at  the  back  of  the  ear,  when  the  elephant's  head  is  turned  away 
from  the  hunter  is  usually  deadly.  The  deadliest  shot,  however,  is  con- 
sidered the  raking  one,  by  which  the  bullet  is  placed  at  the  back  of  the 
neck.  The  heart  lies  on  the  right  side  of  the  body;  but  neither  the  heart 
nor  the  lung  shot  is  to  be  compared  with  the  brain  shot.  In  fact,  unless 
both  lungs  are  pierced  the  elephant  often  gets  away. 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 


79 


The  most  deadly  shot  for  the  rhino  is  also  that  in  the  brain,  with  a 
bullet  placed  in  the  center  of  the  neck  as  a  good  second.  In  following  a 
wounded  rhino  he  is  always  found  with  head  high  up,  waiting  for  a 
charge,  in  which  case  a  raking  shot  through  the  shoulder  generally 
sounds  his  death  knell.  As  the  hippo  is  generally  found  in  the  water, 
shots  at  the  head  must  be  the  rule ;  and  his  most  certain  death  is  to  be 
encompassed  by  taking  him  when  his  head  is  turned  away  and  planting 
the  bullet  on  an  imaginary  line  drawn  across  the  base  of  his  ears.     In 


t  A^  ■A'' 


Copyright  1909,  by 
Underwood  &  Underwood. 


TROPHIES  OF  THE  HUNT. 


the  case  of  buffalo — one  of  the  hardest  to  kill  in  the  list  and  among  the 
dangerous  when  wounded — there  is  no  more  vital  point  to  endeavor  to 
reach  than  the  point  of  the  shoulder  if  the  beast  is  broadside;  if  facing, 
with  head  up,  the  base  of  the  neck;  if  quarter  facing,  the  side  of  the  neck, 
so  the  bullet  will  rake  through  the  body  to  the  opposite  shoulder.  The 
dum-dum,  expanding  bullet  is  nearly  always  used  for  this  ferocious  brute. 
But,  taken  all  into  consideration,  the  lion  is  really  the  most  dangerous 
of  the  big  game,  as  in  proportion  to  the  number  killed  he  has  caused 


80  ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 

the  greatest  fatality  among  hunters.  Particular  care  is  therefore  exer- 
cised in  waiting  for  the  opportunity  to  drive  home  the  most  fatal  shot. 
The  point  of  the  shoulder  and  the  base  of  the  neck  are  the  localities  to 
be  aimed  for.  Most  of  the  fatal  accidents  have  occurred  when  follow- 
ing a  wounded  lion  into  grass.  As  to  buck,  the  best  spot  to  aim  at  is 
the  shoulder,, for  if  the  heart  is  not  struck  the  lungs  may  be,  or  the  arteries 
around  the  heart  damaged,  or  the  shoulders  so  shattered  that  the  animal 
will  be  unable  to  run.  If  facing,  the  hunter  generally  tries  for  the  base 
of  the  neck,  so  that  the  bullet  will  rake  the  vital  organs  from  front  to 
rear.  Some  of  the  buck  are  the  most  difficult  to  kill  in  the  whole  ani- 
mal kingdom,  not  only  getting  away  with  perforated  lungs  and  shat- 
tered limbs,  but  with  their  very  entrails  dragging  on  the  ground.  The 
first  shot  is  therefore  the  all-important  one — in  the  case  of  the  bigger 
game  because  the  life  of  the  hunter  may  depend  upon  it,  and  of  such  as 
the  buck,  because  the  game  may  escape  the  hunter. 

CHARMS  OF  THE  LION  CHASE. 

First,  see  your  lion.  The  charms  of  the  lion  chase  consist  largely  ir. 
pitting  human  wit  against  animal  instinct,  and  getting  the  beast  in  such 
a  position  that  he  must  either  stand  or  run.  With  all  the  uncertainties 
of  his  conduct,  the  general  policy  of  the  lion  is  to  mind  his  own  business 
and  especially  to  avoid  trouble  with  man.  Still,  he  sustains  his  reputa- 
tion of  being  the  most  wise  and  uncertain  of  the  big  carnivora.  He  will 
even  go  so  far  as  to  retire  meekly  from  a  freshly  killed  buffalo  or  zebra 
upon  the  approach  of  the  hunter;  but  if  the  sportsman  be  persistent,  and 
the  beast  makes  a  stand,  it  means  a  fight  to  the  death.  But  often  a 
hunter  may  search  for  days  without  even  getting  a  sight  of  His  King- 
ship, even  though  his  spoor  may  be  fresh  and  his  killings  on  all  sides. 
One  expert  states  that  during  his  six  months  in  British  East  Africa  he 
spent  thirty  days  looking  for  lions  in  a  country  where  they  were  thick 
about  his  camp  every  night,  often  seeking  entry  to  the  tents,  and  twice 
making  kills  within  a  few  yards  of  where  the  safari  slept. 

It  is  generally  considered  that  the  safest  lion  shooting  is  on  foot  and 
the  most  faverable  ground  a  naked  plain.  As  was  the  rule  in  the  Roose- 
velt hunts,  a  pony  man  runs  the  lion  to  bay  and  the  chief  approaches 
afoot  from  another  direction.  Under  such  circumstances  the  lion  inva- 
riably charges  at  the  pony  man — first,  because  he  likes  horseflesh  and, 


ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS.  81>' 

secondly,  (perhaps)  because  he  holds  the  latter  responsible  for  being 
brought  to  bay.  And  when  once  shot,  if  the  wound  is  not  through  heart 
or  brain,  the  beast  advances,  increasing  its  pace  with  the  reception  of 
each  additional  bullet.  The  last  thirty  or  forty  yards  is  covered  like  a 
whirlwind — the  swiftest  thing  on  earth — and  the  momentum  sometimes 
carries  the  great  brute  right  to  the  feet  of  the  hunter  with  a  bullet 
through  the  heart. 

BLIND  CHARGE  OF  THE  BLACK  RHINOCEROS. 

On  at  least  two  different  occasions  Mr.  Roosevelt  dropped  his  lion 
as  the  beast  was  making  one  of  its  whirlwind  charges,  and  upon  one 
occasion  saved  the  life  of  his  pony  man.  He  also  experienced  the  almost 
equally  terrific  charg-e  of  the  black  rhinoceros — about  as  resistless,  but 
shorn  of  some  of  its  dangers  from  the  fact  that  the  rhino's  sight  is  so 
bad;  his  charge  is  therefore  literally  blind.  He  gets  the  "tainted  air"  of 
some  human  "vermin"  and  forthwith  lowers  his  ugly  head  and  horns 
and  charges  in  the  direction  of  the  obnoxious  thing,  whether  it  be  a  hun- 
ter's safari,  a  body  of  Masai  warriors  or  a  company  of  the  King's  African 
Rifles.  Everything  and  everybody  scatters  before  the  awful  brute,  who 
blunders  through  the  wreck,  right  on,  seldom  returning  to  the  same 
attack.  The  rhinoceros  loves  to  lurk  in  dark  jungles,  or  forests,  and  no 
other  of  the  big  beasts  is  so  given  to  charging  with  less  provocation 
than  he;  among  them  all  he  seems  the  most  "possessed  of  the  devil." 
The  white  rhinoceros  is  a  most  rare  animal,  as  compared  with  his  black 
brother  of  East  Africa,  and  few  of  this  species  have  been  shot  within 
recent  years.  One  of  the  lucky  hunters  to  bring  a  white  rhino  to  his 
game  bag  was  Captain  Richard  Dawson,  of  the  British  Coldstream 
Guards,  who  made  the  shooting  in  July,  1909,  in  the  Sotik  district,  north- 
west of  Kijabe,  where  the  Roosevelt  party  was  operating  at  the  same 
time,  hoping  especially  for  similar  good  fortune. 

TERRIFIC  ONSLAUGHT  OF  THE  BUFFALO. 

As  the  rhino's  sense  of  smell  is  remarkably  acute,  so  is  the  buffalo's 
sense  of  hearing,  as  well  as  his  eyesight.  He  selects  more  awful  places 
in  which  to  hide  and  quietly  listen  than  does  the  rhino  to  dilate  his  nos- 
trils for  "tainted  air."  He  hides  in  great  papyrus  swamps,  jungles  of 
elephant  grass  or  dense  forests.  The  lone  bull  buffalo  is  a  terrible  ani- 
mal and  often   charges  without  provocation,   and  will   often   hunt  the 


82  ROOSEVELT  HUNTING  GROUNDS. 

hunter,  coming  upon  him  unawares  and  tossing  him  into  eternity.  A 
wounded  buffalo  has  a  nasty  trick  of  appearing  to  run  away  as  if  panic- 
stricken;  then,  after  dashing  away  for  a  mile  or  so,  well  out  of  sight, 
circling  round  and  returning  to  the  trail.  Then  hiding  in  the  high  grass 
or  forest,  he  patiently  awaits  the  coming  of  the  hunter  in  the  hope  of 
charging  him  unawares.  As  his  vitality  equals  his  cunning,  and  both 
are  backed  by  an  awful  strength,  the  buffalo  is  considered,  next  to  the 
lion,  the  most  dangerous  of  the  big  beasts. 

SABLE  ANTELOPE. 

The  sable  antelope  is  mentioned  here  because,  albeit  not  of  large  size 
among  his  kind,  he  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous.  He  has  long  spear- 
like horns  and  is  usually  hunted  with  a  pack  of  dogs.  A  herd  of  sable 
antelope  when  finally  brought  to  bay  is  certainly  a  noble  sight,  and  after 
the  first  encounter  their  pursuers  are  careful  indeed  of  the  distance  they 
keep  between  their  bodies  and  those  death-dealing  horns.  Li  spite  of 
their  nimbleness  more  than  one  good  dog  is  usually  impaled  in  a  hunt, 
and  the  sportsman  himself  has  even  met  death  by  coming  in  too  close. 
The  sable  antelope  is  smaller  than  the  roan  and  his  coloring  is  different, 
though  the  shape  of  the  body  is  quite  similar  in  the  two  species. 

HARTBEESTS   AND   GNUS    (WILDBEESTS). 

Perhaps  of  all  the  soft-skinned  beasts  of  big  caliber  in  Africa  the  hart- 
beests  and  gnus  are  the  hardest  to  kill.  The  .wildbeests  are  not  so  dif- 
ficult to  stalk,  but  their  vitality  and  staying  qualities  are  something 
phenomenal.  AVhen  sound  they  will  invariably  outrun  a  horse,  and  even 
when  shot  through  the  lungs  they  have  been  known  to  gallop  out  of 
sight. 

The  hartbeests  are  a  species  of  antelope  named  "hard  beasts"  by  the 
Dutch,  who  had  the  first  long  experience  with  them  in  South  Africa. 
The  British  often  varied  their  christening  by  calling  them  "nasty  beasts"; 
and  all  because  the  creatures  posted  their  sentries  in  such  a  wonderful 
manner  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  get  within  fair  shooting  dis- 
tance of  a  herd.  The  three  varieties  common  to  British  East  Africa  are 
Jackson's,  Coke's  and  Neumann's.  They  are  all  of  a  rich  fawn  color  of 
varied  shades  and  also  vary  somewhat  in  the  shape  and  size  of  the  horns, 
Jackson's  hartbeest  carrying  the  heaviest  and  longest. 


NEW  AFRICA. 


IN  BLACK  AND  WHITE. 

Having*  left  the  Roosevelt  expedition  in  the  hunters'  paradise  of  British 
East  Africa,  it  seems  a  fitting  opportunity  to  briefly  retrace  the  route  taken 
by  the  Uganda  railroad,  which  is  virtually  fixing  New  Africa  on  the  map  of 
the  world,  and  first  describe  the  country  through  which  it  passes  in  "black." 
The  tribes  of  colored  men  seem  now  reconciled  to  the  new  order  of  things 
and  are  no  longer  to  be  considered  as  dense  savages,  but  as  considerably  more 
than  semi-civilized. 

THE  WANYIKA. 


A  few  miles  out  from  Mombasa  commence  the  little  villages  of  the  Wan- 
yika — sometimes  not  more  than  a  small  collection  of  huts,  surrounded  by  a 
high  fence  of  trees,  vines  or  thorny  shrubbery.  Such  defenses  are  partly  a 
remnant  of  the  days  when  they  were  subject  to  the  attacks  of  the  fierce  Masai 
warriors  or  the  equally  merciless  slave  hunters ;  but  they  are  still  necessary  as 
protections  against  lions  and  other  flesh  eaters.  They  raise  vegetables  and 
fruits  on  small  tracts  of  land,  or  occasionally  act  as  cattle  herders,  and  are 
scattered  with  camps  of  railroad  employes  or  squads  of  irregular  infantry 
nearly  to  the  Athi  plains.  Their  appearance  bespeaks  considerable  Arabian 
blood. 

83 


84  NEIV  AFRICA. 

MURDER  OF  THOMAS  LONDON. 

Although  generally  peaceable,  the  Waiiyika  sometimes  allow  their  avarice 
to  overcome  their  scruples  and  caution ;  and  perhaps  this  should  not  be  charged 
up  to  them  as  a  conclusive  evidence  of  their  savagery.  Perhaps  their  latest 
crime  against  the  human  life  of  a  white  was  the  murder  of  Thomas  London, 
a  British  hunter  in  the  region  not  far  from  the  coast.  Being  hungry  and 
thirsty,  he  approached  a  village  and  paid  a  native  boy  a  silver  dollar  for  a 
cocoanut.  Such  a  large  sum  for  so  small  a  favor  aroused  the  cupidity  of  an 
old  chief,  Makelinga,  and  when  Mr.  London  had  laid  aside  his  gun  and  was 
bending  over  to  wash  his  hands,  the  native  leader,  with  three  confederates, 
sprung  upon  him  and  stabbed  him  to  death.  Only  five  dollars  were  found 
upon  the  dead;  but  the  murderers  were  tried  and  convicted  at  Mombasa  and 
hung  on  the  scene  of  their  crime,  /\ugust  28,  1908. 

THE  WAKAMBA,  OF  THE  ATHI  BASIN. 

The  Wakamba  have  the  distinction  of  being  not  only  the  largest  tribe  of 
East  Africa,  but  the  only  one  which  has  never  acknowledged  permanent  defeat 
at  the  Hands  of  the  Masai.  They  are  both  farmers  and  herdsmen.  Like  most 
African  tribes  they  are  very  superstitious,  having  their  hoodoos  against  witch- 
ery and  their  official  witch  doctors,  who  are  sometimes  more  powerful  than 
the  chiefs.  After  harvest  the  doctor  always  makes  his  rounds  of  the  villages, 
receives  gifts  and  endeavors  to  "smell  out"  the  witch  in  each  community  who 
has  been  responsible  for  the  sudden  deaths  and  other  misfortunes  of  the  year. 
When  she  (for  it  is  generally  a  woman)  has  been  located  the  villagers  gradu- 
ally desert  her,  leaving  behind  only  one  grim  warrior,  who,  at  the  first  favor- 
able opportunity,  pins  her  to  the  ground  with  his  spear  and  leaves  her  to  a 
death  of  keen  agony  or  slow  torture.  In  case  her  death  struggles  are  too 
prolonged,  the  villagers  return  and  stone  her  to  death.  A  village  near  Mach- 
akos  station  seems  to  have  been  a  favorite  location  for  enforcing  "Kinyolla," 
as  this  hideous  custom  is  known,  some  forty  women  having  met  their  fate 
there  within  a  year. 

THE  MASAI,  WITH  CLAWS  CUT. 

The  once  warlike  Masai,  not  unlike  the  Sioux  of  the  United  States  in  their 
heyday,  are  now  virtually  pacified  and  kept  within  the  bounds  of  their  reserva- 
tion on  the  Laikipia  plateau,  northwest  of  Mount  Kenia  and  northeast  of 


NEW  AFRICA. 


85 


"Nakuru.  Once  as  much  hunters  of  men  as  of  lions  and  other  wild  beasts,  they 
were  for  years  the  terror  of  all  the  native  tribes  of  northeast  Africa  between 
Lake  Victoria  Nyanza  and  the  Red  Sea,  excepting  perhaps  the  powerful 
Wakamba  already  mentioned.  They  were  loosely  confined  within  these  west- 
ern and  eastern  bounds  by  the  Uganda  confederation  of  tribes  and  by  the 
Somali  warriors.  Years  ago  they  were  almost  a  nomadic  race,  like  the  Sioux 
of  North  America  or  the  Huns  of  the  old  world,  sweeping  the  country  with 
their  wild  forays  of  rapine  and  destruction.    They  took  their  cattle  with  them, 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

MASAI  WIVES  BUILDING  A  NEW  VILLAGE. 


and  it  was  the  wholesale  destruction  of  their  herds  by  plague  which  caused 
many  of  them  to  establish  villages  and  form  a  distinct  division  of  the  tribe. 
Then  until  they  abandoned  the  warpath  within  recent  years,  at  the  "sugges- 
tion" of  the  British  authorities,  the  Masai  were  generally  divided  into  war- 
riors— splendid  specimens  of  chocolate  colored  young  manhood,  never  less 
than  six  feet  in  height — and  those  who  had  served  their  time  at  feats  of  arms 
and  had  settled  down  to  married  and  domestic  life.     The  warriors,  or  free- 


86 


NEW  AFRICA. 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

GOING  FOR  HIS  BRIDE.       RIDING  THE  COW  THAT  IS  TO  VA\'  FOR  HER. 

men,  lived  in  camps,  while  the  more  staid  populace  dwelt  in  the  villages, 
herded  the  cattle  and  raised  gram  and  vegetables.  At  the  age  of  puberty  the 
youth  of  proper  physique  was  £>et  apart  as  a  warrior  by  the  rite  of  circum- 
cision and  not  only  thoroughly  drilled  by  veterans  in  the  use  of  the  lone- 


NEW  AFRICA.  87 

bladed  assagai,  the  short  sword  and  club  and  the  oval  shield  of  buffalo  hide, 
but  was  placed  on  a  strict  diet,  alternating  between  meat  and  milk.  The 
young  men  were  attended  by  unmarried  girls  and  women,  who  did  the  cook- 
ing and  performed  all  necessary  domestic  offices. 


READY  FOR  THE  WAR  PATH. 

When  the  young  man,  or  "elmoran,"  was  ready  for  the  war  path  he  was 
certainly  a  sight  calculated  to  inspire  fear.  Gorged  with  blood  and  meat,  to 
raise  his  animal  passions  to  the  utmost,  his  oblique  eyes  blazed  from  his  choco-- 
late  colored  face,  encircled  by  ostrich  feathers,  which  were  carried  above  his 
frizzy  hair  in  the  form  of  an  oval  headdress,  so  increasing  his  natural  height 
as  to  make  him  appear  gigantic  in  stature.  His  shoulder  cape  was  of  vulture 
feathers,  and  his  belt  and  anklets  were  made  from  the  fur  of  the  Colobus  mon- 
key. When,  therefore,  he  leaped  along  the  war  path,  with  his  loyg  lance  tipped 
with  thirty  inches  of  keen  steel,  his  feathers  ruffing  around  him  like  an  enraged 
bird  of  prey,  it  is  not  singular  that  he  struck  such  terror  into  the  heart  of  a 
savage  foe  as  to  half  win  the  battle  before  it  was  even  begun.  In  the  days 
when  the  Masai  were  in  their  prime  as  warriors,  no  young  man  dare  return 
to  his  camp  without  human  blood  on  his  spear,  or  booty  to  appeal  to  the 
admiration  and  affection  of  his  sweetheart.  Once  married,  he  settled  down 
in  one  of  the  villages  and  was  allowed  to  vary  his  diet  with  vegetables. 

As  the  cow  is  the  main  food  supply  of  the  Masai,  it  is  necessary  that  the 
young  warrior  who  is  about  to  turn  Benedict  should  present  his  prospective 
father-in-law  with  a  first-class  animal,  both  as  an  earnest  of  his  honorable 
intentions  and  as  actual  pay  for  his  bride.  His  journey  to  the  home  of  his 
fair  one  is  usually  made  on  the  back  of  his  sleek  gift,  the  young  suitor  being 
accompanied  by  a  body-guard  of  friends. 


THE  MASAI  OF  TODAY. 

The  young  Masai,  though  he  may  no  more  go  forth  to  slay  his  brother, 
is  in  demand  by  the  white  hunter  as  a  helper  or  guide,  and  he  also  maintains 
his  old-time  reputation  as  one  of  the  bravest  sportsmen  in  the  world  who  has 
ever  faced  the  lion.  When  he  now  returns  single  handed,  with  his  spear 
dipped  in  the  life-blood  of  the  king  of  beasts,  the  whole  village  turns  out  to 
give  him  a  deserved  ovation. 


88 


NEW  AFRICA. 


The  Masai  villages  are  still  built  in  the  form  of  a  circle,  surrounded  by  a 
strong  thorn  fence,  and  the  cattle  are  carefully  herded  within.  The  huts  are 
made  of  bent  boughs  and  the  roofs  plastered  with  cow  dung 


Although  the 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

YOUNG  MAN   HONORED  FOR  KILLING  A  LION. 


dresses  of  the  men  and  women  are  in  the  transformatory  period,  they  generally 
retain  their  old-time  characte.ristics.  The  women  wear  a  profusion  of  string 
beads  and  anklets  of  iron  and  brass,  with  a  small  apronlike  garment  in  front 


NEW  AFRICA. 


89 


of  the  body  and  a  longer  garment  behind.  The  men,  not  in  mihtary  costume, 
v/ear  an  upper  garment  of  tanned  skin,  and  a  length  of  cloth  fastened  at  the 
neck  and  hanging  down  behind.  Their  armlets  are  of  ivory  and  horn;  they 
wear  ornaments  of  slender  iron  chain,  showing  good  workmanship,  and  their 


Copyright  1909  by 
Underwood  &  Underwood. 


PLAYING    BAO. 


hair  is  usually  gathered  in  a  chignon  which  hangs  between  the  shoulders. 
Their  ear-lobes  are  distended  with  ornaments,  for,  like  other  semi-civilized 
tribes,  they  are  loaded  with  the  bulk  of  attractive  things  for  the  edification  of 
the  opposite  sex.  In  that  particular  they  follow  the  usual  order  of  birds  and 
animals,  among  which  it  is  the  male  who  is  aflame  with  color  and  is  loaded 


90  NEW  AFRICA. 

with  the  noticeable  adornments.  They  seem  to  have  few  amusements,  but, 
like  many  other  African  tribes,  are  partial  to  games  of  chance,  or  gambling. 
Bao,  as  their  most  popular  gambling  game  is  called,  is  represented  in  full 
swing  in  the  accompanying  illustration. 

Generally  speaking  the  Masai  of  today  are  dignified  and  self-contained, 
capable  agriculturists  and  herdsmen,  quick  witted  and  possessed  of  considerable 
oratorical  ability.  They  are  a  mixed  Ethiopian  and  negro  race,  those  in  whom 
the  former  blood  predominates  having  good  features — so  good,  in  fact,  that, 
barring  their  chocolate  color,  they  would  pass  for  Europeans.  Their 
general  appearance,  bravery  and  adaptability  to  military  discipline  are 
so  much  in  their  favor  that  many  of  them  have  been  incorporated  into  the 
King's  African  Rifles  and  are  employed  with  good  effect  in  the  British 
work  of  "pacification."  With  the  Swahili,  the  Masai  have  given  names 
to  the  animals  of  British  East  Africa. 

THE  SWAHILI  AND  KIKUKU. 

The  Swahili  are  perhaps  the  most  polished  and  sedate  of  any  of  the 
native  tribes  of  Central  and  East  Africa.  They  are  noted  traders,  are 
Mohammedans  and,  in  their  flowing  white  garments,  much  resemble  the 
Arabs.  They  number  fully  a  million  souls  and  have  their  pretty  villages 
and  bazaars  as  far  east  as  Mount  Kenia. 

It  is  said  that  the  Kikuyu,  between  Nairobi  and  Mount  Kenia,  num- 
ber some  300,000  souls,  and,  although  they  have  made  as  much  progress 
as  any  native  tribe  in  agriculture,  they  are  considered  unreliable  as  citi- 
zens and  the  protectorate  police  are  obliged  to  keep  a  keen  eye  out  for 
them.  Further  to  the  west  and  north,  from  the  Mau  escarpment  to  the 
Laikipia  Plains  and  beyond  are  the  villages  and  huts  of  the  Wandorrobo, 
scattered  along  the  Tana  and  its  tributaries  and  hidden  in  the  depths  of 
the  forests.  They  are  among  the  oldest  professional  black  hunters  in 
Africa  and  will  be  exterminated  before  they  become  farmers.  They  are 
exceedingly  primitive  and  live  mostly  on  game  and  honey. 

NAKED  TRIBES   NEAR  VICTORIA   NYANZA. 

The  country  from  Kibigori  station  to  Kavirondo  Gulf  (the  eastern 
arm  of  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza)  was  inhabited  by  tribes  who,  notwith- 
standing the  present-day  influences  of  several  years,  might  still  have 
just  emerged  from  the  Garden  of  Eden — many  even  minus  the  prover- 
bial fig-leaf.    The  females  load  themselves  with  bead  necklaces  and  other 


NEW  AFRICA.  91 

ornaments,  and  the  men  delight  in  elaborate  head-dresses,  made  of 
feathers  and  banded  with  ivory.  They  are  laughing,  merry  people,  live 
in  villages  surrounded  with  aloe  hedges,  and  usually  surround  the  trav- 
eler with  curious  looks  and  gestures,  quite  unconscious  of  their  condi- 
tion. Physically,  they  are  bronze  models  for  the  artist  and  sculptor — 
tall,  symmetrically  developed,  gentle-mannered,  peaceable,  and,  from 
the  most  reliable  accounts  of  European  travelers,  are  chaste  and  moral. 
Of  course,  the  efforts  of  the  new  civilization  has  resulted  in  some  cloth- 
ing of  the  naked,  albeit  the  majority  still  cling  closely  to  the  instinct  of 
their  forefathers  in  the  matter  of  dress,  or  no-dress.  Apropos  of  dress 
reform  among  the  Kavirondo — the  story  is  told  on  a  good  English  lady 
who,  having  been  shocked  at  the  sights  she  saw,  stopped  at  Port  Flor- 
ence, the  terminus  of  the  railroad,  long  enough  to  purchase  a  huge 
bundle  of  cloth  of  home  manufacture.  This  she  sent  down  to  Kibisrori 
for  the  purpose  of  being  distributed  among  her  dusky  sisters;  but  what 
was  her  disgust,  on  her  return  from  a  short  stay  at  Entebbe,  to  find 
that  the  aforesaid  sisters  had  passed  all  the  goods  over  to  their  husbands 
and  lovers,  who  were  all  adorned  with  beautiful  fresh  turbans. 

THE  NANDI  TRIBE. 

North  of  the  Kavirondo  was  the  Nandi  tribe.  It  is  an  offshoot  of  the 
Masai  and,  like  the  parent  stock,  its  members  are  cattle  fanciers  and 
warriors.  On  scenting  danger  from  hostile  tribes,  or  British  soldiers, 
it  was  their  custom  to  make  off  into  the  forests  and  rocky  gorges 
marked  by  the  Nandi  escarpment,  and  securely  hide  their  flocks  and 
herds  before  venturing  forth  themselves.  Even  then  they  did  not  come 
into  the  open,  but  after  they  had  posted  their  sentries  on  every  com- 
manding hilltop  in  the  country,  and  learned  from  the  answering  shouts 
the  position  and  strength  of  the  enemy,  they  were  ready  to  commence 
their  ambushed  warfare  with  poisoned  arrows.  They  gave  the  builders 
of  the  Uganda  road  some  trouble;  but  more  as  thieves  than  as  warriors. 
When  they  first  set  eyes  on  the  fine  metal  used  in  the  tracks  and  tele- 
graph, the  savage  love  for  ornamentation  overcame  all  other  desires — 
even  the  desire  to  avenge  the  coming  of  the  white  man.  For  months 
the  progress  and  operation  of  the  line  toward  the  lake  were  seriously 
impeded  by  their  thefts  of  telegraph  wire  for  bracelets  and  earrings  and 
railroad  bolts  for  fancy  spear  heads. 


92  NEW  AFRICA. 

Much  of  the  history  of  the  Nandi  and  Kavirondo  tribes  is  written 
in  the  past  tense,  as  they  are  among  the  unfortunate  people  who  are 
victims  of  the  Sleeping  Sickness,  which  has  killed  two  hundred  thousand 
people  in  the  regions  tributary  to  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza ;  and  as  no  cure 
has  yet  been  found  for  the  terrible  plague  the  order  has  gone  forth  that 
all  tribes  inhabiting  the  infested  area  shall  be  removed  back  into  a  safe 
country.  The  Sleeping  Sickness  had  been  especially  destructive  to  the 
Kavirondo,  as  the  tsetse  fly,  which  produced  it,  had  free  access  to  their 
naked  bodies. 

NATIVE  KINGDOM  OF  UGANDA. 

One  of  the  chief  objects  in  building  the  Uganda  Railroad  was  'to 
tap  the  rich  native  kingdom  of  Uganda  west  of  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza. 
It  is  a  well  organized  state,  composed  of  a  union  of  the  most  intelligent 
and  progressive  of  the  Baganda  tribes.  They  have  well  been  termed 
the  Japanese  of  Africa,  as  they  possess  a  wonderful  power  of  absorbing 
and  practically  applying  the  knowledge  derived  from  European  contact. 
Even  before  Cameron  and  Stanley  came  among  them,  rumors  had 
reached  the  outside  world  of  a  far-advanced  native  confederation  hold- 
ing the  country  between  lakes  Victoria  and  Albert  Nyanza.  But  it  was 
not  until  its  last  autocratic  King  was  banished  by  the  British  and  a 
protectorate  assumed  that  the  state  was  organized  along  modern  lines, 
although  the  Catholic  and  Episcopal  missionaries  had  planted  many  seeds 
which  had  borne  good  fruit.  The  territory  is  now  divided  into  twenty 
counties,  each  county  ruled  by  a  chief,  and  the  entire  state  is  governed 
by  King  Daudi  Chwa,  who,  as  he  is  only  about  thirteen  years  of  age, 
is  under  the  guardianship  of  three  regents.  The  native  parliament  con- 
sists of  the  regents  and  county  chiefs  named,  sixty  Notables  (three  from 
each  county)  and  six  Persons  of  Importance,  all  appointed  by  the  King 
and  subject  to  the  veto  of  the  British  government.  Besides  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  virtually  modern  monarchy,  Uganda  has  also  made  a  great 
advance  toward  modern  standards  in  the  abolishment  of  the  most  ob- 
jectionable features  of  polygamy — such    as    the    selling    of    women    for 

wives. 

Physically,  Uganda  is  a  land  of  beauties — gorgeous  landscape  efifects, 
highly  colored  birds,  enormous  moths  and  butterflies  and  tropical  lux- 
uriance of  vegetation.  The  soil  is  wonderfully  rich.  The  country  is 
simply  unctuous  with  bananas.     Cotton  grows  everywhere,  and   other 


NEIV  AFRICA.  93 

products,  either  native  or  introduced,  are  cocoa,  coffee,  tea,  oranges, 
pineapples,  lemons,  rubber,  hemp,  vanilla  and  cinnamon.  More  wonder- 
ful still,  most  of  the  fruits  and  vegetables  of  the  temperate  zone  thrive 
well.  Is  it  wonderful  that  the  British  wanted  to  get  into  railroad  con- 
nection with  such  a  country? 

It  is  one  of  the  sad  and  most  dramatic  features  of  modern  history 
that  this  wonderful  country — this  intelligent  people,  so  eager  for  knowl- 
edge and  so  capable  of  absorbing  and  profiting  by  it — should  be  devas- 
tated by  the  mysterious  plague  of  the  Sleeping  Sickness.  The  efforts  of 
modern  scientists  and  philanthropists  to  discover  its  causes,  eradicate  it 
and  save  Uganda  itself  from  extermination  are  noted  at  the  last  of  this 
chapter. 

WHITE  BELT. 

The  White  Belt  of  British  East  Africa  comprises  the  country  north 
of  the  Uganda  Railroad  from  Kapiti  Plains  (or  perhaps  Nairobi)  to 
Port  Florence,  for  an  average  of  forty  miles  inland,  wherein  is  studded 
most  of  the  plantations,  stock  farms  and  private  hunting  grounds  of 
British,  German,  Boer  and  American  proprietors — many  of  them  set- 
tlers. There  are  those  who  assert  that,  on  account  of  the  remoteness 
of  the  producing  territory  and  South  American  competition,  coffee  will 
never  be  a  profitable  crop,  although  so  readily  raised  from  the  soil — 
the  same  objections  applying  to  fruits  and  vegetables,  especially  potatoes. 
It  is  naturally  a  fine  live-stock  country;  but  the  fever  tick  has  been  im- 
ported from  German  East  Africa  and  has  made  such  inroads  among  the 
cattle  as  to'  discourage  many  live-stock  raisers.  The  native  cattle  are 
usually  black  and  white,  and  small  compared  with  the  English  species. 
If  left  to  themselves  and  the  devices  of  the  native  African  they  would 
undoubtedly  perish  under  the  attacks  of  the  fever-spreading  tick ;  but 
new  and  vigorous  blood  is  being  introduced  into  the  native  herds  from 
European  sources,  and  the  white  scientist  has  discovered  that  by  wiring 
a  herd  of  sheep  in  a  tick-infested  area  the  insects  are  soon  exterminated. 
Their  bites  are  harmless  to  sheep,  which  also  eat  the  insects  without  loss 
of  appetite  or  health.  So  that  the  live-stock  industries  of  British  East 
Africa  may  eventually  flourish  exceedingly;  but  a  majority  of  the 
prophets  seem  to  vote  in  favor  of  King  Cotton  as  the  coming  monarch 
of  the  soil,  pointing  to  the  fact  that  both  in  the  lowlands  and  uplands 
it  has  been  grown  with  success. 


94  NEW  AFRICA. 

Within  tlie  White  Belt  of  British  East  Africa  no  class  of  actual  set- 
tlers are  showing  more  adaptability  and  rugged  determination  to  wring 
substantial  results  from  the  old,  dormant  country  than  the  Boers,  many 
of  whom  had  planted  themselves  in  the  soil  before  the  British  protec- 
torate was  even  dreamed  of.  Some  of  the  richest  lands  along  the  rail- 
road lie  around  beautiful  Lake  Nakuru,  where  the  line  makes  its  first 
decided  turn  to  the  westward  on  its  way  to  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza.  At 
this  locality  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  prosperous  Boer  colonies  in 
East  Africa,  most  of  the  settlers  being  housed  in  the  typical  corrugated 
iron  buildings,  which  are  not  pretty  to  look  at,  but  are  both  light,  strong, 
cool  and  weather-proof.  As  the  altitude  here  is  more  than  seven  thou- 
sand feet  above  sea  level,  it  is  not  always  heat  alone  against  which  the 
householders  need  protection. 

GREAT  SCENIC  SECTION  OF  RAILWAY. 

The  great  scenic  section  of  the  Uganda  Railroad  is  from  Nairobi  to 
Nakuru,  during  which  the  country  rapidly  rises  through  a  series  of  alter- 
nating escarpments  and  valleys  to  an  altitude  of  nearly  eight  thousand 
feet  at  the  Mau  Escarpment  beyond  the  latter  station.  During  the  first 
twenty-four  miles  out  of  Nairobi  the  rise  is  some  two  thousand  feet. 
To  the  west  of  Nairobi,  at  the  foot  of  the  Kikuyu  hills,  the  plain  country 
abruptly  ends.  As  far  as  the  eye  can  see  extends  a  frowning  wall  of 
forest-clad  rocks,  and  when  the  train  has  struggled  to  high  ground,  now 
six  thousand  feet  above  the  sea,  it  shows  the  tourist  one  of  the  most 
impressive  sights  in  East  Africa. 

ESCARPMENT  STATION  AND  RIFT  VALLEY. 

From  Escarpment  Station  the  railroad  pitches  and  zigzags  its  way 
into  Rift  Valley,  fifteen  hundred  feet  below,  its  broad  expanses  being 
broken  by  strange  volcanic  formations.  Some  of  the  shattered  craters 
in  the  valley  are  not  inactive,  and  one  slumbering  volcano  is  planted  in 
the  middle  of  Lake  Naivasha.  To  the  west  the  valley  is  barricaded  by 
the  lofty  Mau  hills  and  clif¥s,  which  collectively  form  the  escarpment 
which  bends  toward  the  northwest  and  crosses  the  railroad  beyond 
Nakuru.  Before  the  days  of  the  railroad  the  traveler  was  lowered  over 
the  escarpment  into  the  valley  below,  or  elevated  from  the  valley  to  the 
heights — as  the  case  might  be — by  an  old  rope  lift. 


NEW  AFRICA. 


i)5 


ON  TO  KIJABE  STATION. 

Kijabe,  which  is  the  next  station  beyond  Escarpment,  is  well  named 
"The  Wind,"  as  it  is  one  of  the  bleakest  places  along  the  road.  One  of 
the  most  interesting  expeditions  from  Nairobi  was  that  made  by  the 
ex-President  and  his  party  to  Kijabe,  a  station  on  the  railroad  forty- 


ROOSEVELT,   MAJOR  MEARNS  AND    THE    TRAFFIC    MANAGER  VIEWING  THE  COUNTRY  ALONG 

THE  UGANDA  RAILWAY. 


96  NEW  AFRICA. 

four  miles  northwest  of  the  city,  which  is  the  headquarters  of  the 
African  Inland  Mission.  It  is  an  independent  American  organization, 
with  home  councils  in  Philadelphia  and  London,  and  several  schools  are 
conducted  at  Kijabe  for  the  education  of  missionaries'  children  and  the 
industrial  training  of  the  natives. 

The  party,  which  consisted  of  Mr.  Roosevelt,  Edmund  Heller,  Major 
Mearns  and  Kermit  Roosevelt,  arrived  at  their  destination  on  the  after- 
noon of  June  3rd,  the  Colonel,  the  Major  and  the  traffic  manager  riding 
about  half  the  way  on  the  cow-catcher  so  as  to  obtain  the  full  benefit 
of  the  glorious  scenery  in  the  Rift  Valley.  They  were  met  at  the  station 
by  the  porters  and  the  American  missionaries,  and  passed  the  night  in 
tents  near  the  railroad.  The  next  morning  the  party  spent  some  time 
shooting  Colobus  and  green-faced  monkeys,  as  well  as  rare  birds.  In 
the  forenoon  Mr.  Roosevelt  made  a  thorough  inspection  of  the  mission, 
and  afterward  had  luncheon  with  forty  of  the  missionaries  and  their 
wives  and  settlers  in  the  country. 

LOVELY  AND  MYSTERIOUS  LAKE  NAIVASHA. 

One  of  the  greatest  wonders  and  beauties  of  the  Rift  Valley  is  Lake 
Naivasha,  about  an  hour's  ride  from  the  Escarpment  Station.  This 
sheet  of  water  is  about  ten  miles  square,  and  the  rim  of  a  submerged 
crater  makes  a  crescent-shaped  island  in  its  midst.  Although  its  waters 
are  rather  brackish  they  are  always  sunny  and  glisten  like  a  "Tear"  in 
the  rather  somber  landscape ;  and  it  should  be  added  that  "Naivasha" 
translated  into  English  is  a  "Tear."  "Almost  always,"  says  one  who 
looked  upon  the  scene  with  a  bright  eye,  "there  is  a  smile  of  sunshine 
on  her  waters,  while  on  the  other  hand  there  is  as  often  a  black  frown  of 
thunder  clouds  rolling  over  the  Mau  and  a  white  cap  of  rain  on  the  peak 
of  Longonot" — the  latter  being  a  rather  portentous  looking  volcano 
which  almost  closes  the  further  end  of  the  Rift  Valley.  But  though  the 
water  of  Lake  Naivasha  is  by  no  means  sweet,  its  bosom  is  covered  with 
pink,  white  and  blue  lilies,  and  is  fringed  with  sedges,  seeds  and  papyrus. 
It  is  also  the  home  of  myriads  of  Egyptian  geese,  cranes,  herons, 
ducks  and  snipe.  The  borders  of  the  lake  and  the  islands  scattered  over 
it  are  especially  favored  breeding  grounds  for  herons,  who  love  to  feed 
among  the  herds  of  native  cattle  pasturing  on  the  grassy  slopes  which 
roll  away  from  Naivasha  toward  Nakuru.  Hippos  abound  in  the  lake, 
but  there  are  no  crocodiles;  and  toward  the  northwest  is  big  game  of 


NEW  AFRICA.  97 

all  kinds,  as  well  as  a  fine  region  for  bush  buck,  while  on  the  wide  grassy- 
flats  and  the  lower  slopes  of  the  hills  are  great  flocks  of  sheep  and 
goats,  herded  by  the  natives. 

GOVERNMENT  BREEDING  FARM  NEAR  NAIVASHA. 

At  the  government  breeding  farm,  a  few  miles  from  Lake  Naivasha, 
efforts  are  being  made  to  cross  the  zebra  with  the  horse  or  mule,  in 
order  to  produce  a  hybrid  which  may  both  resist  the  diseases  of  the 
country  and  at  the  same  time  be  easily  tamed  and  be  valuable  as  a  beast 
of  burden.  This  attempt  to  solve  the  horse  problem  in  British  East 
Africa  has  not  met  with  as  much  success  as  the  government's  efforts  to 
improve  the  native  hairy  sheep  and  the  humped  African  ox.  The  former 
has  been  so  crossed  with  Sussex  and  Australian  blood  as  to  be  trans- 
formed into  a  very  respectable  wool-bearing  animal,  while  the  native 
hump  is  disappearing,  and  the  mixed  ox  is  coming  on  the  scene  as  a 
fair  Shorthorn. 

NAKURU  AND  ITS  CHARMING  LAKE. 

Salty  though  it  is  to  the  taste,  as  are  most  of  the  bodies  of  water  in 
this  region.  Lake  Nakuru  is  charming  both  in  the  vegetable  and  animal 
life  which  it  supports.  A  rich  grass  country  surrounds  it,  which,  as 
stated,  is  thickly  settled  by  Boer  farmers.  Beyond,  along  the  Mau  Es- 
carpment, is  one  of  the  finest  pieces  of  railroad  engineering  in  East 
Africa,  consisting  of  nearly  three  miles  of  viaducts,  or  twenty-seven 
separate  iron  bridges  spanning  beautiful  valleys  and  foaming  torrents. 
The  really  interesting  part  of  the  great  engineering  feat  lies  in  the  fact 
that  it  is  really  an  American  achievement — a  demonstration  of  Amer- 
ican ingenuity,  pluck  and  technical  skill. 

FROM  FORT  TERNAN  TO  PORT  FLORENCE. 

At  the  station  called  Fort  Ternan  the  railroad  has  fairly  cut  through 
the  Mau  Escarpment,  and  thence  to  Port  Florence,  or  Kisumu  (the 
native  village),  carries  one  through  a  swampy  but  fertile  country — the 
approach  to  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza  and  the  region  infested  by  the  tsetse 
fly  and  devastated  by  the  Sleeping  Sickness;  the  country  of  the  Nandi 
and  the  Kavirondo.     Fort  Ternan,  which  has  been  dubbed  a  "placeless 


98 


NEW  AFRICA. 


name,"  is  about  forty  miles  from  the  terminus  of  the  road  and  some 
thousand  feet  above  it.  This  section  of  the  line  taps  a  level  country  of 
brilliant  green  dotted  with  small  parks  of  flourishing  trees. 

APPROACH  TO  LAKE— PORT  FLORENCE. 

Realizing  that  Lake  Victoria  Nyanza  is  the  greatest  of  the  African 
lakes  and,  next  to  Lake  Superior,  in  the  United  States,  the  largest  body 
of  fresh  water  in  the  world,  Mr.  Roosevelt  shared  the  common  dis- 
appointment of  all  travelers  who  approach  it  from  the  east  for  the  first 


time.  The  country  is  so  flat  around  Gulf  Kavirondo  that  all  that  can 
be  seen  is  an  unimpressive  arm  of  dirty  brown  water  thrust  out  into  the 
landscape — no  vast  expanse  of  blue  waters  stretching  to  the  horizon, 
with  appropriate  settings  of  rocky  clififs  or  smiling  shores.  But  the  train 
soon  runs  onto  the  pier  at  Port  Florence,  which  is  little  more  than  a 
transfer  station  from  the  railroad  to  the  steamers  which  ply  across  the 


NEIV  AFRICA.  99 

lake  to  Entebbe,  the  capital  of  the  Uganda  protectorate,  and  to  other 
interesting  points  in  the  native  kingdom.  It  has  also  a  large  dockyard, 
at  which  all  the  lake  steamers  are  built  and  repaired,  and  the  resident 
part  of  the  modern  town  contains  trim  houses,  well  shaded  and  backed 
up  against  the  hills  which  overlook  the  gulf  at  this  point. 

BIG  HUNTING  GROUNDS  TO  THE  NORTH. 

Before  crossing  the  lake  to  Entebbe,  the  sportsman  always  samples 
the  noted  grounds  for  big  game,  lying  between  the  Nandi  escarpment 
and  Mount  Elgon,  especially  along  the  Nzoia  River  and  along  the  south- 
ern slopes  of  the  mountain  mentioned.  It  is  an  especially  fine  lion 
country.  All  through  the  lower  Nzoia  country,  in  the  comparatively 
level  stretches  of  sward,  are  great  ant-hills  interspersed  with  clumps  of 
thorn  bushes.  The  ant-hills  form  good  points  of  observation  for  the 
hunter  and  the  thorn  bushes  fine  screens.  The  lions  also  like  to  mount 
these  towers  and  survey  the  country  for  game,  or,  if  they  are  tracked, 
to  discover  the  progress  and  position  of  their  pursuers.  This  ant-hill 
country  is  favorable,  it  seems,  both  for  lion  and  lion  hunter,  when  the 
sportsman  is  afoot;  but  it  is  obviously  no  place  for  horsemen.  When 
following  the  animal  into  cover,  the  hunter  should,  if  possible,  deter- 
mine whether  he  is  after  a  lion,  or  lioness  with  cubs.  During  May, 
June  and  July  they  run  together  in  mixed  bands,  wdiich  is  a  favorable 
season  for  hunting  them ;  during  the  other  months  the  females  withdraw 
from  the  males  and  bear  their  litters.  The  months  between  July  and 
May  may  therefore  be  called  the  dangerous  months  for  the  sportsmen. 
Besides  the  lion,  the  whole  country  from  the  Nandi  hills  to  and  along 
the  Nzoia  River  abounds  in  buffalo,  eland,  roan  antelopes,  giraffes,  Jack- 
son's hartbeests  and  water  and  reed  buck.  Better  still,  from  the  railroad 
to  the  Yala  River  may  generally  be  found  several  herds  of  elephants,  one 
seeming  especially  to  haunt  the  locality  near  Kibigori  station;  but  the 
great  grounds  of  the  monster  game  are  east  and  southeast  of  Mount 
Elgon. 

ACROSS  THE  LAKE  TO  ENTEBBE. 

Entebbe,  across  the  lake  from  Port  Florence,  is  the  administrative 
capital  of  the  Uganda  protectorate  and  is  connected  with  Kampala,  the 
native  capital,  by  a  well  constructed  twenty-five-mile  road   (not  rail- 


100  NEW  AFRICA. 

road).  There  is  another  fine  pike  from  Kampala  to  Lake  Albert 
Nyanza ;  and  the  entire  distance  of  two  hundred  miles  may  be  com- 
fortably covered  in  an  automobile.  Entebbe  itself  was  carefully  planned 
and  built.  It  has  such  a  charming  location,  surroundings  and  accommo- 
dations for  the  visitor  that  many  are  suggesting  that  the  literal  trans- 
lation, "The  Chair,"  should  be  rendered  more  freely  "The  Easy  Chair." 
The  houses  are  mostly  brick,  with  corrugated  iron  roofs  of  red,  and  the 
official  residences  are  surrounded  by  large  gardens,  connected  by  broad 
avenues.  Flowering  trees  are  planted  along  the  streets,  and  many  of 
the  gigantic  forest  trees  have  been  left  where  they  originally  stood. 
As  to  club  and  social  life  it  is  a  repetition  of  Nairobi,  plus  a  beautiful 
site.  The  shores  of  the  lake,  and  the  islands  with  which  it  is  studded, 
are  ablaze  with  the  brilliant  colors  of  plant  and  bird,  and  the  air  laden 
with  tropical  perfumes  and- the  myriad  noises  of  insect,  monkey  and  the 
feathered  tribe.  The  slopes  between  the  town  and  the  lake  have  been 
converted  into  a  fine  botanic  garden,  which  is  a  condensed  exhibition  of 
the  plant  and  animal  life  around. 

THE  SLEEPING  SICKNESS. 

Eight  years  ago  this  beautiful  region  of  islands  and  tropical  forests, 
of  fertile  land  and  teeming  vegetation,  was  densely  populated  by  in- 
dustrious and  progressive  natives — tilling  the  soil,  herding  cattle  and 
learning  to  be  good  citizens,  according  to  their  lights.  Since  they  have 
been  swept  away  in  great  waves  of  death  by  the  Sleeping  Sickness,  and 
one  of  the  most  interesting  institutions  of  Entebbe  is  the  laboratory  of 
the  Royal  Commission  on  Sleeping  Sickness,  where  experiments  are 
conducted  in  the  hope  of  getting  at  the  cause  and  remedies  of  the  ter- 
rible disease.  At  one  time  four  thousand  incurables  were  slowly  dying 
in  Uganda  hospitals,  and  thousands  more  expecting  to  take  their  places. 
Up  to  the  present  time,  however,  only  a  few  Europeans  have  died  of  the 
malady,  one  of  the  unfortunates  being  Lieutenant  Tulloch,  who  con- 
tracted the  disease  while  making  the  initial  experiments  at  the  labora- 
tory and  died  shortly  after  his  return  to  England  in  the  summer  of  1906. 
The  only  deaths  in  the  railroad  districts  east  of  the  Mau  ranges  have 
been  of  Uganda  natives  wdio  have  contracted  the  disease  at  home,  and 
it  has  never  advanced  beyond  Mount  Kenia  to  the  east  or  Mount  Kili- 
manjaro to  the  south. 


NEW  AFRICA. 


101 


Sleeping  Sickness  has  been  known  in  Africa  for  more  than  a  cen- 
tury, but  its  connection  with  the  tsetse  fly  was  not  recognized  until  1902. 
The  infection,  or  organisms  known  as  trypanosomes,  is  conveyed  by 
this  insect  in  some  manner  not  yet  clearly  ascertained.  The  incubation 
period  is  about  three  weeks.     Then  comes  an  irregular  fever,  ranging 


Copyright  1909  by  Underwood  &  Underwood 

CROCODILE  CAUGHT  ON   THE  SHORE  OF  LAKE  VICTORIA  NYANZA 

Natives  live  in  terror  of  Crocodiles  and  kill  them  whenever  they  can.     In  some  tribes  no 
young  man  is  considered  a  real  warrior  until  he  has  speared  a  Crocodile. 
Then  all  the  belles  of  the  tribe  worship  him. 


102  NEW  AFRICA. 

from  a  few  days  to  weeks,  with  progressive  weakness,  swelling  of  the 
glands,  affections  of  the  skin,  and  final  paralysis  of  the  entire  nervous 
system.  There  may  be  an  interval  of  years — as  many  as  seven — before 
the  profound  lassitude,  the  real  onset  of  the  Sleeping  Sickness,  ap- 
proaches. The  patient  then  becomes  an  automaton,  even  forgetting  to 
chew  the  food  which  is  placed  in  his  mouth,  finally  dying  of  starvation, 
convulsions  or  local  paralysis.  The  mortality  of  the  disease,  when  once 
implanted,  must  be  given  as  100  per  cent;  there  is  no  hope,  except  in 
prevention. 

Professor  Koch,  the  great  German  scientist,  who  has  made  so  thor- 
ough an  investigation  of  the  matter,  has  added  to  the  difficulties  of  the 
case  by  offering  proofs  that  the  disease  may  be  transmitted  in  other  ways 
than  by  the  tsetse  fly.  He  also  claims  to  have  discovered  a  connection 
between  the  disease  and  crocodiles,  as  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lake 
Victoria  Nyanza  the  tsetse  fly  subsists  almost  entirely  on  the  blood  of 
these  reptiles.  Tsetse  flies,  both  males  and  females,  are  blood-suckers 
and  feed  during  the  day.  As  they  fly  so  swiftly  and  alight  so  softly,  it 
is  very  difficult  to  detect  them  until  after  the  mischief  has  been  done. 

ROOSEVELT'S  ENTERTAINERS  AT  ENTEBBE. 

Mr,  Roosevelt  was  deeply  interested  in  this  status  of  the  great  fight, 
between  science  and  the  Sleeping  Sickness  of  East  Africa,  and  his  host 
and  hostess  at  Entebbe  gave  him  every  facility  to  investigate  the  efforts 
being  made  to  stamp  out  the  plague.  Mrs.  George  Francis  McDaniel 
Ennis,  his  special  hostess,  is  the  only  American  resident  of  Entebbe, 
and  a  charming  author,  woman  and  entertainer.  She  was  formerly  Miss 
Ethel  Kirkland,  of  Chicag-o,  daughter  of  Major  Joseph  Kirkland,  a  brave 
soldier  and  an  able  writer — for  some  years  literary  editor  of  the  "Chicago 
Tribune."  Mrs.  Ennis  met  her  husband  while  traveling,  the  latter  being 
en  route  to  assume  the  judgeship  of  the  LTganda  protectorate.  They 
have  a  son,  and  a  beautiful,  completely  appointed  home;  no  one  of  note, 
in  fact,  since  they  became  residents  of  Entebbe  has  left  the  place  without 
enjoying  their  hospitality.  Of  course,  the  formal  reception  of  Colonel 
and  ex-President  Roosevelt,  with  his  party,  was  at  the  hands  of  Sir 
Hesketh  Bell,  the  governor;  but  the  real  home  entertaining — the  atten- 
tions which  went  to  the  great  American's  heart — were  from  Mrs.  Ennis, 
his  countrywoman;  and  no  better  God-speed  toward  the  Nile  and  civil- 
ization could  have  been  devised. 


LION  HUNTING  IN  AFRICA 

Roosevelt  Meets  the  King  of  the  African  Forests  in  His  Native  Jungle — Three  Lions 
Bagged  in  One  Day — Interesting  Facts  About  the   Lion. 


Nothing  is  more  exciting  in  an  African  hunter's  experience  than  his  first 
encounter  with  the  lion.  Mr.  Roosevelt  had  long  been  waiting  for  this  crown- 
ing event  in  his  life  as  a  sportsman  with  eager  anticipation.  In  British  East 
Africa,  where  lions  are  more  numerous  than  deer  in  our  western  states,  he 


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AN    EAST    AFRICAN    P^^RM. 


did  not  have  tO'  wait  long  for  the  fulfillment  of  his  expectations.  After  a  short 
stay  at  Kapiti  Plains  on  the  Uganda  Railroad,  he  broke  camp  and  soon 
reached  the  ranch  of  Sir  Alfred  Pease,  beautifully  located  on  the  shores  of 
the  Athi  River.    Our  illustration  shows  one  of  the  farms  in  this  neighborhood, 

103 


104 


LION  HUNTING  IN  AFRICA. 


where  English  settlers  or  office-holders  are  endeavoring  to  establish  themselves 
as  comfortably  as  the  conditions  of  a  new  tropical  country  will  permit. 

One  day  three  lions  had  been  discovered  attacking  a  buffalo  who  had  been 
grazing  on  the  prairie  near  the  edge  of  a  dense  jungle.  As  the  hunting  party 
approached  they  saw  traces  of  the  lion's  cruel  rule  all  over  the  "velt,"  where 
bones  of  zebras  and  antelopes  were  the  only  remnants  of  its  ghastly  repast. 
The  hunters  stopped  at  some  distance  from  the  jungle,  while  the  native  beaters 
drove  the  beasts  toward  them.  Two  of  the  lions,  scenting  the  danger,  bounded 
ofif  and  hid  in  the  jungle.    But  the  third,  blinded  by  fury  and  fear,  and  with  a 


,^*»,> 


From  photograph.  ^^^^j.   ^^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^^   ^^^^ 

roar  that  reminded  of  a  distant  thunder,  came  leaping  through  the  air  swift 
as  lightning,  and  would  in  a  second  have  buried  its  sharp  claws  in  the  quivering 
limbs  of  its  awe-stricken  victims — when  just  in  the  right  moment  a  rifle  shot 
resounded  through  the  breathless  silence  of  the  plains,  and  the  ex-President's 
first  big  African  game  tumbled  to  the  ground,  hit  in  the  brain  by  a  soft- 
headed bead  from  his  never-failing  Winchester  barrel.  The  two  beaters,  one 
an  ebony-colored  native,  the  other  a  white  man  from  Sir  Alfred's  ranch, 
were  saved,  and  "Bvvana  Tumbo"  had  established  his  reputation  on  African 
soil  as  an  unrivaled  crack  shot. 


106  LION  HUNTING  IN  AFRICA. 

This,  however,  was  only  the  beginning  of  the  achievements  of  a  strenuous 
day.  No  sooner  had  the  loud  shouts  of  the  natives  announced  this  glorious 
triumph  over  their  sworn  enemy,  than  one  of  the  beaters  came  running  from 
the  creek  to  tell  them  that  another  lion  had  been  seen  along  the  sandy  banks. 
The  party  at  once  started  off  to  track  the  game.  Following  the  sandy  trail 
along  the  shore,  over  stony  ground  and  through  patches  of  underbrush  and 
coarse  grass,  they  expected  to  see  the  "simba"  at  any  moment,  but  a  heavy 
rain  had  blurred  the  spoor  in  the  soft  sand  and  made  the  tracking  somewhat 
difficult.  At  last  the  track  was  totally  lost  in  the  wet  sand  and  the  party  made 
a  halt,  ready  to  give  up  the  fruitless  search.  But  our  strenuous  ex-President 
would  listen  to  no  such  advice.  The  old  lion  hunter  Selous  sided  in  with 
him,  and  off  they  started  for  another  high  river-bed,  towards  which  the  lion 
had  been  seen  running.  Luck  favored  them  this  time,  and  they  soon  were  on 
the  track  again.  The  trail  led  to  a  thicket  of  three-feet-high  grass,  reed 
and  bushes  forming  a  dense  jungle  on  a  little  island.  The  native  beaters 
began  shouting  and  throwing  stones  in  this  hiding  place,  where  nothing  could 
be  seen  but  the  luxurious  impenetrable  tropical  vegetation,  while  our  hunters 
posted  themselves  on  the  opposite  side,  ready  to  receive  the  jungle  king. 
A  terrible  growl  was  soon  heard,  there  was  a  rustling  in  the  underbrush,  and 
with  a  swift  leap  the  lion  darted  towards  the  Colonel.  He  came  so  close 
that  the  bold  sportsman  almost  could  feel  his  hot  breath  tickling  his  nostrils. 
The  situation  was  an  exciting  one.  Missing  the  target  meant  a  sure  death 
between  the  jaws  of  the  beast.  Not  losing  a  second  the  ex-President  threw 
his  Winchester  up  to  his  shoulder  and  sent  a  buzzing  bullet  through  the 
lion's  heart  while  at  the  highest  point  of  its  leap. 

"That's  a  fine  one,"  the  Colonel  was  heard  to  exclaim,  when  the  heavy 
body  of  the  brute  touched  the  trembling  ground. 

It  would  seem  as  if  the  two  trophies  won  in  one  day  would  have  been 
enough  to  satisfy  the  most  ambitious  sportsman.  But  they  had  only  just 
whetted  our  American  nimrod's  appetite.  Disdaining  the  smaller  game  that 
swarmed  around  his  safari,  he  said  to  his  companions :  "Let  us  find  another 
lion,"  and  off  they  started  again.  The  rays  of  the  tropical  sun  fell  upon  their 
heads  like  burning  blasts  from  a  furnace,  and  everyone  felt  the  depressing 
effect  of  the  murderous  African  climate.  But  on  they  marched — natives, 
English  and  Americans — inspired  by  the  indomitable  energy  of  the  most 
strenuous  man  on  earth.  The  region  through  which  they  went  excels  in 
beautiful  tropical  scenery.     Diverse  varieties  of  palms,  olives  and  fig  trees 


LION  HUNTING  IN  AFRICA.  107 

form  symmetrical  groves  and  little  copses  all  over  the  plains,  while  vari- 
colored flowers  fill  the  atmosphere  with  their  intoxicating  flavors,  and  relieve 
the  monotony  of  the  waving  grass,  where  herds  of  wild  and  tamed  animals 
rove  around,  and  beautiful  singing-birds  adorned  with  the  most  brilliant 
feather  shrouds,  glittering  in  all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  enliven  the  somber 
hue  of  the  landscape.  But  all  this  marvelous  mosaic  of  nature  could  not 
captivate  the  eyes  of  our  mighty  hunter.  He  had  already  tasted  the  exhilarat- 
ing excitement  of  the  contest  for  the  bigger  game,  and  was  eagerly  longing 
for  another  chance  to  make  use  of  his  skill.  And  this  opportunity  was  not 
long  in  coming.  As  they  were  marching  along  at  a  rapid  pace  a  large 
maneless  lion's  tawny  shape  was  suddenly  seen  at  some  distance,  through  the 
tall  grass.  The  beaters,  encouraged  through  the  prowess  and  boldness  of  the 
illustrious  American  hunter,  approached  its  crouching  form  less  cautiously 
than  usual.  The  beast  saw  its  dangerous  situation  and  with  a  terrible  roar 
came  bounding  straight  on  the  foremost  beater.  Terror  stricken,  the  man 
turned  and  ran  towards  the  Colonel  for  protection.  He,  too,  was  on  a  run, 
though  in  the  opposite  direction.  Two  lives  were  in  jeopardy.  Nothing  but' 
a  sure  aim  and  a  quick  hand  could  save  from  death.  But  Mr.  Roosevelt 
lived  up  to  his  reputation.  With  the  same  cool  presence  of  mind  that  has 
characterized  all  his  actions,  whether  leading  his  Rough  Riders  to  victory 
against  the  Spanish  lines  or  at  the  helm  of  our  government  in  fight  against 
reckless  lawbreakers,  he  instantly  sized  up  the  situation  and  acted  accord- 
ingly. The  lion  turned  its  right  flank  towards  him  and  held  its  head  down 
in  the  tall  grass,  thus  making  it  impossible  to  hit  its  most  vulnerable  parts — 
the  heart  or  the  brain.  But  swift  as  a  lightning  flash  the  ex-Presidential  bullet 
came  whirring  through  the  air  and  struck  the  beast  right  through  the  spine 
and  down  he  went,  to  rise  no  more. 

It  was  a  master  shot,  indeed,  and  the  alert  and  quick-eyed  natives  were 
not  loath  in  appreciating  the  unequaled  skill  of  a  hunter  who,  in  one  day 
and  on  his  first  lion  hunt,  had  killed  three  of  these  ferocious  marauders  under 
so  thrilling  and  exciting  circumstances. 

The  lions  were  skinned  by  the  natives  and  carried  to  the  camp,  where 
the  African  beaters  and  bearers  celebrated  the  events  of  the  day  in  the  usual 
way,  by  songs  and  dances,  for  the  killing  of  a  lion  is  always  made  an  occasion 
of  festivities  among  the  native  tribes. 

The  spoils  of  the  day  having  been  disposed  of,  and  the  hides  properly 
cared  for  by  Mr.  Heller,  the  professional  taxidermist  of  the  expedition,  the 


108 


LION  HUNTING  IN  AFRICA. 


party  started  on  its  way  back  to  Sir  Alfred's  farm,  where  they  joined  the 
other  members  of  the  safari.  Our  ilhistration  gives  the  reader  a  vivid  idea 
of  how  Roosevelt's  caravan  looked.  It  is  a  photographic  reproduction  of  an 
East  African  safari,  showing  the  bearers  with  their  loads.  Upon  leaving 
the  Uganda  Railway  our  African  travelers  had  chiefly  to  depend  on  their 
own  legs  for  locomotion  in  penetrating  the  wild  hunting  grounds,  the  natives 
acting  as  animals  of  burden,  getting  15  cents  per  day  and  food,  consisting 


From  photo. 


A    SAFARI    ON     MARCH    THROUGH    EAST    AFRICAN    WILDERNESS. 


of  maize,  beans  or  antelope  meat.  The  daily  march  is  from  15  to  20  miles, 
and  it  is  estimated  that  between  75,000  and  100,000  of  them  are  constantly 
employed  at  present. 

During  the  first  three  months  of  his  African  hunt  Roosevelt  killed  not 
less  than  seven  lions.  Their  skins  were  prepared  by  the  skilled  taxidermists 
who  followed  the  expedition,  and  sent  tO'  the  Smithsonian  Institution  in 
Washington. 

Many  strange  things  happen  on  the  chase  in  British  East  Africa.  When 
they  were  sitting  around  the  camp  fire  one  night,  Mr.  Selous  told  Colonel 
Roosevelt  the  following  interesting  experience :  He  and  Mr.  McMillan  were 
one  day  out  in  this  same  district,  accompanied  by  Judd,  a  professional  hunter, 


LION  HUNTING  IN  AFRICA.  109 

after  lions,  and  Judd  was  following  Mr.  Selous  on  a  mule.  Suddenly  his 
mule  nearly  stepped  on  a  huge  lion,  and  as  the  mule  swerved  Judd  fired  from 
his  hip  with  his  rifle  and  almost  simultaneously  the  mule  bucked  him  off  and 
he  landed  almost  touching  the  lion. 

He  thought  his  last  hour  had  come  and  prepared  to  make  a  fight  for  his 
life,  but  to  his  surprise  the  lion  did  not  move.  Then  he  suddenly  realized 
that  the  lion  was  dead.  He  got  up  and  inspected  it,  and  found  that  his  shot 
had  entered  the  eye  and  killed  it  instantly,  without  leaving  a  mark  on  the 
skin.     Mr.  McMillan  took  the  skin  home  to  have  it  set  up. 

At  Mweru  on  the  Nyeri  road,  man-eating  lions  have  been  playing  havoc 
with  government  safaris  and  traders"  safaris,  so  that  at  last  the  government 
was  forced  to  close  the  road  to  the  traffic. 

It  is  estimated  that  some  hun'dred  native  men,  women  and  children  have 
lost  their  lives  to  these  man-eaters,  and  so  if  Colonel  Roosevelt  kills  them 
he  will  have  done  the  community  special  service. 

The  lion  is  not  only  one  of  the  largest  and  most  dangerous,  but  also  one 
of  the  most  interesting  of  all  the  wild  animals  of  x^frica.  We  therefore 
will  give  our  readers  an  account  of  its  habits  and  history,  accompanied  by 
illustrations  showing  the  king  of  the  forest  and  the  jungle  in  his  native  haunts 
and  surrounded  by  his  tropical  environments. 

"As  bold  as  a  lion"  is  the  phrase  most  commonly  used  to  express  the 
highest  order  of  courage,  for  by  general  consent  the  people  of  all  countries 
have  bestowed  upon  the  lion  the  title  of  "King  of  Beasts."  Certainly  no 
other  animal  is  so  noble  and  majestic  in  appearance.  Its  massive  head,  upon 
which,  in  the  case  of  the  male  animal,  there  is  usually  a  long,  thick  mane,  the 
King's  Crown,  as  it  were,  its  stout,  thick  legs  and  huge  p^ws,  together  with  the 
graceful  formation  of  its  body  and  sweeping  tail,  make  it  the  most  imposing 
and  splendid  looking  animal  known  to  natural  history. 

Of  late  years  one  authority  has  disputed  the  lion's  title  of  "King  of 
Beasts."  Mr.  F.  C.  Selous,  the  famous  hunter,  says  that  the  lion  does  not 
carry  its  head  as  high  as  it  should,  and  that  it  is  lacking  in  many  traits  that 
we  usually  ascribe  to  a  noble  animal.  Livingstone,  the  great  explorer,  declares 
that  the  lion  is  more  correctly  described  as  cowardly  and  mean  than  brave 
and  noble,  yet  I  know  many  instances  where  the  lion  has  shown  itself  to^  be 
the  most  courageous  of  animals. 

In  common  with  the  other  large  cats  of  the  Old  World,  the  lion  has  the 
pupil  of  the  eye  circular;  but  it  is  at  once  distinguished  from  all  the  other 


no  THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 

members  of  the  family  by  the  long  hair  growing  on  the  head,  neck,  and 
shoulders  of  the  males  to  form  the  flowing  mane.  This  mane  varies  in  size 
and  color  in  different  individuals,  .but,  contrary  tO'  what  has  often  been  stated, 
is  seen  on  Indian  as  well  as  on  African  lions.  Frequently  the  long  hair  of 
the  mane  is  continued  as  a  fringe  down  the  middle  line  of  the  belly.  Another 
distinctive  characteristic  of  the  male  lion  is  the  brush  of  long  hair  at  the  tip 
of  the  tail.  In  the  middle  of  this  brush  of  hair,  at  the  very  extremity  of 
the  tail,  is  a  small  horny  appendage  surrounded  by  a  tuft.  Much  speculation 
has  been  indulged  in  as  tO'  the  use  of  this  so-called  "thorn"  in  the  lion's  tail. 
One  old  story  says  that  it  is  employed  to  rouse  the  animal  tO'  fury  when  the  tail 
is  lashed  against  the  flanks. 

The  hair  on  the  remainder  of  the  body  of  the  male  lion,  and  on  both 
the  head  and  body  in  the  female,  is  short  and  close.  In  the  adults  of  both 
sexes  the  color  of  the  body-hair  is  the  well-known  yellowish-brown,  or  tawny, 
but  the  tint  varies  in  different  individuals.  The  long  hair  of  the  male's  mane 
may  vary  from  tawny  tO'  a  blackish-brown.  Young  lion-cubs  are  marked  with 
transverse  dark  stripes  running  down  the  sides  of  the  body,  and  likewise  by 
a  single  stripe  of  similar  tint  along  the  middle  of  the  back.  The  mane  of 
the  male  does  not  make  its  appearance  till  the  animal  is  about  three  years 
of  age,  and  continues  to  grow  until  the  age  of  about  six  years.  The  full 
length  of  a  lion's  life  does  not  appear  known,  but  it  has  been  ascertained 
that  they  will  live  tO'  thirty,  and  it  is  said  even  till  forty  years. 

For  a  long  period  it  was  considered  that  the  Indian  lion  differed  from  its 
African  relative  by  the  total  absence  of  the  mane  in  the  male,  which  was 
regarded  as  indicating  a  distinct  species.  O'wing  to  the  differences  in  the 
length  and  color  of  the  manes  of  African  lions  from,  different  districts,  it  was 
likewise  held  that  there  were  twO'  or  more  species  in  Africa.  It,  however, 
has  been  definitely  settled  that  such  variations  are  not  constant,  and  that 
there  is  but  a  single  species.  Although  it  may  be  that  some  adult  specimens 
of  the  Indian  lion  are  maneless,  yet  well-maned  examples  have  been  killed, 
while  those  which  were  stated  to  prove  the  existence  of  a  maneless  race  are 
now  known  to  have  been  not  full  grown. 

With  regard  tO'  the  variations  of  the  African  lion,  the  Dutch  hunters  main- 
tain the  existence  of  from  three  tO'  four  distinct  species. 

For  my  part,  I  cannot  see  that  there  is  any  reason  for  supposing  that 
more  than  one  species  exists,  and  as  out  of  fifty  male  lion  skins  scarcely  twO' 
will  be  found  exactly  alike  in  the  color  and  length  of  the  mane,  I  think  it 
would  be  as  reasonable  to  suppose  that  there  are  twenty  species  as  three.     The 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   LION. 


Ill 


fa<- 1  is  that  between  the  animal  witli  hardly  a  vestige  of  a  mane,  and  the  far 
handsomer  but  much  less  common  beast,  with  a  long  flowing  black  mane, 
every  possible  intermediate  variety  may  be  found.  On  one  occasion  I  shot 
two  old  male  lioiis,  which  I  found  lying  together  under  the  same  bush,  both 
of  which  agreed  as  near  as  possible  in  size,  but  while  the  one  was  full-maned, 
with  a  very  dark-colored  fur,  the  other  was  very  yellow  and  had  but  little 
mane.  Shortly  after,  with  a  brother  sportsman,  I  again  met  with  a  dark, 
full-maned  lion  in  company  with  a  nearly  maneless  light-colored  one.  Of  still 
more  importance  was  the  killing  of  a  lioness  with  three  cubs,  of  which  two 


AFRICAN   UON, 


were  males  and  one  a  female.  Of  the  tw^o  male  cubs,  the  one,  owing  to  the 
dark  color  of  the  tips  of  the  hair,  was  almost  black,  while  the  other  was 
reddish-yellow.  The  skin  of  the  female  cub  was  also  of  a  light  color.  Now 
I  'firmly  believe  that  the  two  male  cubs  would  have  grown  up,  the  one  into 
a  dark-skinned,  black-maned  lion,  the  other  into  a  yellow  lion,  with  but  little 
mane;  and  further  than  this,  I  believe  that  the  two  pairs  of  males  I  have 
mentioned  above  were  cubs  of  the  same  litters,  and  had  been  hunting  in  couples 
since  their  cubhood. 

It  seems  quite  probable  that  the  lions  of  one  district  may  differ  to  a  certain 


112  THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 

t 

extent  in  some  respects  from  those  of  another.  Thus  it  seems  pretty  well 
ascertained  that  the  hons  from  the  Cape  and  Algeria  have  larger  and  finer 
manes  than  those  from  other  districts.  Gordon  Gumming  states  that  the 
manes  and  coats  of  lions  inhabiting  open,  treeless  districts,  like  the  great 
Kalahari  desert  of  South  Africa,  are  fuller  and  handsomer  than  in  those 
inhabiting  forest  districts. 

The  relative  sizes  of  the  Indian  and  African  lion  are :  Indian  from  8  to  9 
feet,  African  from  10  to  11  feet;  females  are  about  one  foot  shorter  than  the 
m.ales.     Weight,  from  400  tO'  600  pounds. 

The  present  range  of  the  lion  includes  the  whole  continent  of  Africa,  from 
Cape  Colony  to  Abyssinia  and  Algeria,  although  in  many  of  the  more  civilized 
districts  the  animal  is  now  greatly  reduced  in  numbers,  or  even  completely 
exterminated.  In  Asia  it  is  found  through  INIesopotamia  and  South  Persia 
to  the  northwestern  districts  of  India,  being  nearly  extinct  in  the  latter  country. 
Formerly  the  lion  had  a  much  larger  range,  extending  westward  into  Syria 
and  Arabia,  and  ranging  over  a  considerable  portion  of  Southeastern  Europe, 
such  as  Roumania  and  Greece.  Bones  and  teeth  found  in  the  caverns  of 
Western  Europe  prove  that  lions  once  roamed  over  Germany,  France,  Italy, 
Spain  and  the  British  Isles.  The  ancient  lions  of  Western  Europe  were 
exterminated,  probably,  by  the  cold  of  the  glacial  period ;  but  the  destruction 
of  those  infesting  Eastern  Europe  and  parts  of  Western  Asia  during  the 
historic  epoch  was  probably  effected,  at  least  to  a  considerable  extent,  by 
human  agency. 

In  South  Africa  lions  are  now  scarce  in  the  districts  to  the  southward  of 
the  Orange  River,  but  are  locally  abundant  in  the  regions  farther  north,  such 
as  Mashonaland.  ■  The  lion  is  now  quite  unknown  in  Asia  to  the  northward 
of  India.  The  Arabs  say  it  is  found  in  Arabia;  but  of  this  we  have  at  least 
no  evidence.  Occasionally  it  crosses  the  Euphrates,  and  a  few  years  agO'  a 
lion's  carcass  was  brought  intOi  Damascus.  Behveen  the  Lower  Tigris  and 
Euphrates  they  still  abound.  Mr.  Layard  saw  them  frequently,  and  during 
his  excavations  in  the  neighborhood  of  Babylon,  found  fresh  traces  of  their 
footsteps  almost  daily  am.ong  the  ruins.  It  extends  also  far  higher  up,  to 
the  jungle  of  the  Khaboiir,  or  Chebar,  on  the  upper  Tigris,  above  Mosul 
and  Nineveh  (the  ancient  Chebar),  where  Layard  mentions  an  Arab  being 
attacked  by  one,  and  escaping  with  the  loss  of  his  mare. 

Lions,  which  are  very  numerous  in  the  reedy  swamps  bordering  the  Tigris 
and  Euphrates,  are  found  also  in  the  plains  of  Susiana,  the  modern  Khuzistan, 
and  extend  into  the  mountain  country  south  of  Shiraz.     There  is  no  accurate 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 


113 


information  of  their  northern  hmits,  but  Captain  Pierson,  who  spent  many 
years  in  the  country  between  Tehran  and  Baghdad,  says  that  he  never  heard 
of  Hons  in  the  oak  forest  west  of  Karmanshah,  It  is  the  acorns  oi  this  same 
oak  forest  which  feed  the  wild  pigs  whose  presence  tempts  the  lion  intO'  the 
mountains  of  Pars.  The  little  valley  of  Dashtiarjan,  thirty-five  miles  w^est 
of  Shiraz,  is  notorious  for  the  number  of  lions  found  in  its  vicinity.  Part 
of  the  valley  is  occupied  by  a  fresh- water  lake,  on  the  edges  of  which  are 
extensive  beds  of  reeds ;  the  surrounding  4iills,  which  rise  four  thousand  feet 
above  the  valley,   itself  six  thousand  five  hundred  feet  above  the  sea,  are 


LION    CUBS    AND    THEIR    HABITS. 


covered  with  oak  forest,  or  with  pretty  thick  brushwood  of  hawthorn,  wild 
pear,  and  other  bushes,  and  contain  very  extensive  vineyards.  Dashtiarjan 
is  thus  a  perfect  paradise  for  swine,  and  they  increase  and  multiply  accordingly, 
so  that  the  lions  have  plenty  to  eat,  varying  the  monotony  of  constant  pork 
with  an  occasional  ibex,  or  with  a  calf  from  the  herds  which  graze  in  the  valley. 
Like  most  of  the  larger  cats,  lions  are  essentially  nocturnal  in  their  habits, 
and  they  are  thus  frequently  only  met  with  by  chance  in  districts  where,  from 
the  abundance  of  their  tracks  and  from  their  nocturnal  roarings,  they  are 
known  to  be  plentiful.     During  the  daytime  they  are  accustomed  to  lie  asleep 


114  THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 

in  thick  beds  of  reeds,  where  such  are  to  be  found,  or  in  drier  districts,  among 
thickets  and  bushes. 

The  most  Hkely  places  in  the  bush  country  in  which  to  find  lions,  as  far 
as  my  experience  goes,  are  the  rekabee  thorns,  the  dense  evergreens  which 
line  the  rivers,  and,  during  summer,  the  reeds  on  the  margin  of  lagoons  or 
streams,  while  in  the  open  flats  any  patch  of  reeds  or  tall  grass  suffices  to 
conceal  them..  The  best  chances  for  killing  them  are  obtained  in  the  first- 
mentioned  spots,  as  you  often  come  across  them  asleep  when  you  are  stealing 
about  after  game.  From  these  and  similar  haunts,  the  lion  issues  forth  at 
sundown  to  commence  his  nightly  prowls;  dark  and  stormy  nights  being 
those  on  which  he  is  most  active,  while  he  is  more  cautious  during  bright 
moonlight  nights,  especially  as  regards  his  visits  to  the  drinking-places. 

Unlike  most  of  his  congeners,  the  lion  is  not  a  climber,  and  this  general 
inability  to  ascend  trees  has  saved  the  lives  of  many  sportsmen  and  travelers, 
although  not  unfrequently  at  the  cost  of  a  long  and  thirsty, waiting. 

From  observing  both  lions  and  tigers  in  their  native  haunts  I  am  of 
opinion  that  the  former  are  bolder  than  the  latter,  while  they  are  certainly 
far  more  noisy.  The  first  peculiarity  that  struck  me  in  the  African  lions  was 
their  noisiness.  I  have  constantly  been  for  months  together  in  countries  in 
India  abounding  in  tigers  without  hearing  their  cry.  Indeed,  it  is  by  no 
means  a  common  sound  in  any  Indian  forest.  Leopards,  I  should  say,  are 
much  more  frequently  heard*  than  tigers.  ■  The  cry  of  the  two  animals, 
commonly  known  as  roaring,  though  it  is  utterly  different  from  the  harsh 
growl  of  anger  to  which  the  term  might  most  appropriately  be  applied,  is 
very  similar,  and  consists  of  several  deep  notes  uttered  rather  quickly  one 
after  the  other,  and  repeated  at  longer  and  shorter  intervals. 

Very  different  impressions  appear  to  be  produced  on  different  persons  by 
the  lion's  roar,  some  listeners  appearing  to  regard  it  as  a  rather  commonplace 
and  by  no  means  awe-inspiring  sound,  while  others,  and  we  believe  the  majority, 
speak  of  it  in  far  different  terms.  Such  differences  of  impression  must,  it  is 
obvious,  be  largely  due  to  personal  disposition. 

Perhaps  the  lowest  estimation  of  the  lion's  roar  is  that  of  Livingstone. 
He  writes  that  "it  is  calculated  to  inspire  fear  when  heard  in  a  pitchy  dark 
night  amidst  the  tremendous  peals  of  an  African  thunderstorm,  and  the  vivid 
flashes  of  lightning  which  leave  on  the  eye  the  impression  of  stone-blindness, 
while  the  rain  pouring  down  extinguishes  the  fire,  and  there  is  neither  the 
protection  of  a  tree  nor  a  chance  that  your  gun  will  go  off.  But  when 
any  one  is  snug  in  a  house  or  a  wagon,  the  roar  of  the  lion  mspires  no  awe. 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 


115 


A  European  cannot  distinguish  between  the  note  of  a  hon  and  that  of  an 
ostrich.  In  general  the  voice  of  the  former  seems  to  come  deeper  from  the 
chest ;  but  to  this  day  I  can  only  pronounce  with  certainty  from  which  of  the 
two  it  proceeds,  by  knowing  that  the  ostrich  roars  by  day  and  the  lion  by 
night.  The  natives  assert  that  they  can  detect  a  difference  at  the  beginning 
of  the  sound." 

A  recent  writer,  who  is  fully  impressed  with  the  grandeur  of  the  lion's 
roar,  is  by  no-  means  disposed  tO'  admit  the  justness  of  its  comparison  to 


A    TROOP    OF    LIONS    SEEN    IN    SOUTH    AFRICA. 


the  voice  of  the  ostrich.  He  observes  that  when  a  lion  is  "roaring  loudly  in 
concert  with  others  at  a  short  distance  off,  the  sound  is  grand  and  awe-inspiring 
in  the  extreme ;  in  fact,  I  have  never  heard  anything  of  a  similar  nature  that 
can  compare  with  it,  for  it  is  no  exaggeration  tO'  say  that  the  ground  actually 
trembles  with  the  volume  of  sound,  I  say  this  unhesitatingly,  for  all  that 
many  people  would  have  us  believe  to  the  contrary,  maintaining  that  there 
is  nothing  in  it,  and  endeavoring  tO'  compare  it  to  the  'booming'  of  the 
cock  ostrich.  At  a  great  distance,  and  therefore,  when  heard  indistinctly, 
the  low,  sullen  roaring  of  a  single  lion  has  certainly  much  resemblance  to 


116  THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 

the  sound  emitted  by  the  ostrich  during  the  pairing  season ;  but  persuade 
either  the  lion  or  the  ostrich  to  come  nearer,  and  one  might  then  as  well  try 
to  compare  the  rumbling  of  cart  wheels  over  a  wooden  bridge  with  the 
incessant  roll  of  thunder  among  m.ountains.  But  a  lion  makes  other  sounds 
far  more  disconcerting — because  usually  only  heard  at  close  quarters — than 
that  to  which  it  gives  vent  when,  in  company  with  others,  it  has  killed  a  head 
of  game,  or  is  retiring  to  its  lair,  full  fed.  There  is  the  constant  low  growling 
of  the  lion  crouching  in  cover,  uncertain  whether  to  fight  or  to  fly,  as,  with 
flattened  ears  and  nervously  twitching  tail,  he  studies  the  situation,  hoping 
by  his  attitude  to  warn  off  the  disturber  of  his  solitude.  There  is  the  angrv 
snarl  of  the  lion  disturbed  at  his  meals,  when  his  appetite  is  not  yet  satisfied, 
and  when  one  has  come  upon  him  so  suddenly  as  to  give  him  no  time  to 
clear  off;  and,  worse  than  all,  the  short,  coughing  grunts  which  often  accom- 
pany a  charge,  and  which  startle  the  intruder  in  his  domains  as  he  bounds 
away.  All  these  sounds  are  by  no  means  musical,  and,  whether  heard  by 
day  or  by  night,  are  well  calculated  to  try  the  nerves."  Similar  testimony 
as  to  the  impressiveness  of  the  lion's  roar  is  given  by  Gordon  Gumming,  who 
describes  it  as  consisting  at  certain  times  of  five  or  six  repetitions  of  a  low. 
deep  moaning,  ending  off  with  a  faint  and  scarcely  audible  sigh,  while  at 
others  it  takes  the  form  of  loud,  deep-toned,  solemn  roars,  quickly  repeated, 
and  increasing  in  intensity  till  the  third  or  fourth,  after  which  it  gradually  dies 
away  in  a  succession  of  low  muflled  growlings,  like  the  roll  of  distant  thunder. 
Then,  again,  the  veteran  hunter  Sir  Samuel  Baker  gives  his  impressions  in 
the  following  words:  "There  is  nothing  so  beautiful  or  enjoyable  to  my 
ears  as  the  roar  of  a  lion  on  a  still  night,  when  everything  is  calm,  and  no 
sound  disturbs  the  solitude  except  the  awe-inspiring  notes,  like  the  rumble 
of  distant  thunder,  as  they  die  away  into  the  deepest  bass.  The  first  few 
notes  somewhat  resemble  the  bellow  of  a  bull ;  these  are  repeated  in  slow 
succession  four  or  five  times,  after  which  the  voice  is  sunk  into  a  lower  key, 
and  a  number  of  quick  short  roars  are  at  length  followed  by  rapid  coughing 
notes,  so  deep  and  powerful  that  they  seem  to  vibrate  through  the  earth." 

This  vibrating  and  reverberating  sound  alluded  tO'  in  the  last  sentence  i? 
intensified  by  the  habit  lions  often  have  of  putting  their  mouths  close  to  the 
ground  while  roaring;  Livingstone  mentioning  an  instance  where  a  lion  stood 
for  hours  roaring  near  his  camp,  and  making  the  sound  reverberate  in  this 
manner. 

The  intensity  and  grandeur  of  the  sound  must,  however,  be  largely  increased 
when,  as  is  not  unfrequently  the  case,  a  party  of  lions  are  heard  roaring  in 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 


117 


concert;  and  the  din  reaches  its  height  when  two  or  three  troops  of  hons 
approach  a  watering-place  at  the  same  time.  On  such  occasions  every  member 
of  each  troop  sounds  a  bold  roar  of  defiance  at  the  opposite  parties ;  and  when 
one  roars  all  roar  together,  and  each  seems  to  vie  with  his  comrades  in  the 
intensity  and  power  of  his  voice. 

As  a  rule,  lions  commence  to  roar  with  the  falling  shades  of  evening,  and 
continue  with  longer  or  shorter  intervals  throughout  the  night ;  but  in  secluded 
and  undisturbed  districts  he  has  frequently  heard  the  roaring  sustained  as 


~~"  \     ..  ■■  ,.    T~^ 


ii!ii||\ji'iil|i:i!!'":ii'':iir.iir',iiir,!ii'ji!Mir'ii!''iiiMi" 


iii:  ;»■■  "'■  iii'-;;ii'";iir;iir,iiF;|ii':,ir,iii.iii\iii:,NMi'Mi!-,iiii'ii 


i;!iitpiliir;iiimii|| 


Wiiiii 


■§if 


ffifffy 


Wi 


iii  If 


THE    MANELESS    LION    OF    SENEGAL. 


late  as  9  or  lo  o'clock  in  the  morning  on  bright  and  sunny  days.  During 
cloudy  and  rainy  weather  they  will  however  roar,  although  in  a  lower  tone, 
throughout  the  day. 

Although  in  some  districts  lions  are  commonly  met  either  alone,  or  in  pairs 
of  males  and  females,  this  does  not  seem  tO'  be  generally  the  case  in  the 
interior  of  South  Africa,  where  it  is  more  usual  tO'  meet  with  four  or  five 
lions  consorting  together,  while  parties  of  from  ten  to  twelve  are  by  nO'  means 
rare.  Such  a  party  of  twelve  would,  in  the  experience  of  the  same  observer, 
probably  comprise  about  two  adult  males,  three  or  four  full-grown  lionesses, 


118  THE   STORY   OF   THE   LION. 

and  half  a  dozen  large  cubs,  which,  except  for  their  somewhat  slighter  build, 
might  easily  be  mistaken  for  mature  females.  On  one  occasion  we  came 
across  a  party  consisting  of  a  lion,  three  full-grown  lionesses,  and  three  small 
cubs;  and  if  each  oi  these  females  had  possessed  a  pair  of  large  cubs,  such 
an  assemblage  would  have  been  rightly  termed  a  party  of  ten  lions.  It  was 
probably  such  a  party,  although  comprising  more  adult  males,  that  Lord 
Randolph  Churchill  encountered  during  his  recent  journey  in  Mashonaland, 
when  in  company  with  his  hunter  Lee.  "We  were  riding  along,"  writes  his 
lordship,  "through  a  small  open  glade  covered  with  high  grass,  Lee  a  few 
yards  ahead  oi  me,  when  I  suddenly  saw  him  turn  round,  cry  out  something 
to  me,  and  point  with  his  finger  ahead.  I  looked,  and  saw  lolloping  along 
through  and  over  the  grass,  about  forty  yards  off,  a  yellow  animal  about  as 
big  as  a  small  bullock.  It  flashed  across  me  that  it  was  a  lion — the  last 
thing  in  the  world  that  I  was  thinking  of.  I  was  going  tO'  dismount  and 
take  aim,  for  I  was  not  frightened  at  the  idea  of  firing  at  a  retreating  lion, 
but  Lee  called  out  in  succession  five  or  six  times,  'Look,  look!'  at  the  same 
time  pointing  with  his  finger  in  different  directions  in  front.  I  saw,  to>  my 
astonishment,  and  rather  to  my  dismay,  that  the  glade  appeared  tO'  be  alive  with 
lions.  There  they  were,  trooping  and  trotting  along  ahead  of  us  like  a  lot 
of  enormous  dogs — great  yellow  objects,  offering  such  a  sight  as  I  had  never 
dreamed  of.  Lee  turned  tO'  me  and  said,  'What  will  you  do?'  I  said,  'I 
suppose  we  must  go  after  them,'  thinking  all  the  time  that  I  was  making 
a  very  foolish  answer.  This  I  am  the  more  convinced  of  now,  for  Lee  told  me 
afterward  that  many  old  hunters  in  South  Africa  will  turn  away  from  such 
a  troop  of  lions  as  we  had  before  us.  We  trotted  on  after  them  a  short 
distance  tO'  where  the  grass  was  more  open,  the  lions  trotting  along  ahead 
of  us  in  the  most  composed  and  leisurely  fashion,  very  different  from  the 
galloping  off  of  a  surprised  and  startled  antelope." 

Lord  Randolph  Churchill  himself  counted  no  less  than  seven  lions,  while 
his  hunter  believed  that  there  were  several  more  in  the  party. 

When  a  male  lion  has  selected  a  female  partner  the  union  very  generally 
lasts  for  the  greater  portion  or  the  entire  lives  of  the  pair.  From  the  evidence 
of  specimens  kept  in  captivity  it  is  known  that  from  twO'  to  six  cubs  may  be 
produced  at  a  birth,  at  least  in  the  captive  condition.  It  is  stated,  however, 
that  in  India  wild  lionesses  do  not  produce  more  than  two'  or  three  cubs  at 
a  birth.  When  caught  young,  lions  are  easily  tamed,  and  the  whole  disposi- 
tion O'f  the  animal  in  captivity  is  much  more  gentle  than  is  that  of  the  tiger. 

In  Persia  the  staple  food  of  the  lion  is  the  wild  pigs  that  frequent  the 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   LION. 


119 


oak  forests  to  feed  on  acorns.  In  India,  the  lion  usually  feeds  on  deer, 
antelope,  wild  pigs,  cattle,  horses,  donkeys  and  camels.  In  Africa,  they  prey 
upon  antelopes,  zebras,  quaggas,  buffaloes  and  giraffes. 

Were  a  zebra,  a  fat  rhinoceros  and  a  fat  buffalo'  tO'  be  killed  and  left  out 
it  is  probable  that  they  would  be  eaten  in  the  order  I  have  named.  Soft 
succulent  fat  is  what  the  lion  probably  considers  most  toothsome,  and  zebras 
supply  this  in  a  higher  degree  than  any  other  animal,  save  the  rhinoceros 
and  the  hippopotamus,  neither  of  which  it  is  able  to  kill;  but  on  the  other 
hand,  the  zebra  confines  itself  to  the  open,  as  far  as  possible,  never  approaches 
within  springing  distance  of  a  thicket,  and  rarely,  unless  when  going  tO' water, 
gives  the  lion  a  chance.     Buffaloes,  on  the  other  hand,  are  nearly  always 


LION    CUBS    THAT    LOOK    LIKE    LAMBS. 


in  and  close  to  cover,  presenting  continual  opportunities  for  a  successful 
stalk ;  and  though  the  danger  in  attacking  them  is  much  greater,  as  is  proved 
by  the  no  means  rare  instances  of  lions  being  maimed,  and  even  killed  in 
such  contests,  yet  for  the  above  reason  they  form  their  chief  food. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  supposed  that  lions  by  any  means  restrict  them- 
selves to  the  flesh  of  animals  which  have  fallen  to  their  own  attacks.  In 
addition  to  eating  the  flesh  of  animals  recently  killed  by  hunters,  lions  will 
alsoi  prey  upon  carcasses  in  an  advanced  state  of  decomposition.  When 
elephants  have  been  shot,  lions  will  prey  upon  the  carcasses  as  they  lie  festering 


120  THE   STORY   OF   THE   LION. 

in  the  rays  of  a  tropical  sun,  returning  night  after  night  to  the  feast,  until 
no  more  meat  is  left.  This  occurs  in  parts  of  the  country  abounding  in  game, 
where  it  would  give  a  party  of  lions  but  little  trouble  or  exertion  to  catch  a 
zebra,  buffalo,  or  antelope,  and  procure  themselves  a  meal  of  fresh  meat. 
In  the  same  way,  no  matter  how  plentiful  game  may  be,  lions  will  almost 
invariably  feast  upon  any  dead  animal  left  by  the  hunter,  from  a  buffalo  tO'  a 
steinbuck,  that  they  may  happen  tO'  come  across. 

Near  villages,  when  lions  grow  too  old  to  be  able  to  take  game  for  them- 
selves, they  will  take  tO'  killing  goats ;  while  women  or  children  who  happen 
to  come  in  their  way  at  night  also  become  victims.  On  the  other  hand,  when 
far  away  from  human  habitations,  such  decrepit  lions  catch  mice  and  other 
small  rodents,  and  will  even  at  times  eat  grass,  although  this  may  be  taken 
m.edicinally. 

That  such  lions,  which  have  become  too  feeble  to  prey  upon  game,  would 
naturally  develop  into  "man-eaters"  if  they  were  permitted  to  live,  appears 
highly  probable.  The  absence  of  man-eating  lions  in  parts  of  Africa  is  due 
to  the  superior  boldness  of  the  African  natives  over  those  of  India,  for  even 
among  the  least  martial  tribes  of  South  Africa,  if  two  or  three  people  are 
killed  by  a  lion,  the  population  of  the  surrounding  country  is  roused,  and,  a 
party  being  formed,  the  lion  is  usually  surrounded  and  stabbed  to  death  with 
assegais ;  while  among  such  warlike  stribes  as  the  Matabele,  if  a  lion  only  kills 
an  ox,  or  even  a  goat,  its  fate  is  usually  sealed,  or  even  if  not  killed,  it  gets 
such  a  scare  that  it  is  glad  to  quit  the  district.  Such  a  thing  as  a  man-eater, 
or  even  an  habitual  cattle-slayer,  would  never  be  tolerated  for  an  instant. 

My  shooting  experiences  in  eastern  South  Africa,  in  the  districts  of  Zulu- 
land,  Tongaland,  and  Swaziland,  show  that  man-eating  lions  are  tO'  be  met 
with  in  some  regions.  I  became  an  accessory  to  the  death  of  twO'  such  man- 
eaters,  one  of  which  had  well-nigh  depopulated  a  district,  having  killed  between 
thirty  and  forty  individuals ;  while  the  second,  although  dwelling  in  an  unin- 
habited country  full  of  game,  had  become  notorious  for  its  attacks  upon  the 
camps  of  the  hunters.  The  former,  indeed,  appeared  tO'  be  an  animal  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  bodily  strength,  as  it  is  said  to  have  habitually  leaped  over 
the  high  fences  which  surround  the  Zulu  villages. 

With  regard  to  the  method  in  which  lions  kill  and  carry  off  the  larger 
animals  upon  which  they  prey,  it  may  be  observed,  in  the  first  place,  that 
there  is  some  doubt  whether  death  is  effected  by  dislocating  the  neck  of  the 
victim,  as  is  always  done  by  tigers.  In  a  cow  killed  by  a  lion  in  Abyssinia 
the  vertebrae  of  the  neck  were  not  dislocated ;  and  I  saw  a  lioness  hold  u 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   LION. 


121 


camel  for  several  minutes  without  attempting  to  break  its  neck.  I  have  seen 
a  horse,  a  young  elephant  and  two  antelopes  killed  by  a  bite  in  the  throat; 
while  I  have  also  known  instances  of  horses  and  zebras  being  killed  by  a  bite 
on  the  back  of  the  neck  behind  the  head.  Buffaloes  are  sometimes  killed  by 
a  dislocation  of  the  neck,  which  is  effected  by  the  liou  springing  onto  their 
shoulders,  and  then  seizing  their  noses  with  one  paw,  giving  the  neck  a  sudden 
wrench. 

It  was  formerly  a  prevalent  notion  that  lions  were  in  the  habit  of  carrying 


A    PLAYFUL    OLD    LION. 


off  the  carcasses  of  large  animals,  like  oxen  and  buffaloes,  by  throwing  them 
over  their  back  and  walking  bodily  away  with  them.  All  recent  observers 
are,  however,  agreed  that  this  is  by  no  means  a  correct  statement,  and  that 
their  invariable  practice  is  to  transport  such  carcasses  by  dragging  them  along 
the  ground.  A  South  African  lion  would  be  quite  incapable  of  lifting  a 
buffalo  from  the  ground,  much  less  of  leaping  over  a  fence  with  it,  as  the 
lion  of  North  Africa  has  been  alleged  to  do.     In  referring  to  an  instance  of 


122  THE   STORY    OF    THE   LION. 

this  nature  when  a  North  African  lion  was  reported  to  have  leaped  over  the 
thorn  fence  which  formed  a  protection  to  a  camp,  and,  after  seizing  a  full- 
grown  o>x,  bounded  back  with  its  victim,  Sir  Samuel  Baker  writes  as  follows : 
"In  the  confusion  of  a  night  attack  the  scare  is  stupendous,  and  no  person 
would  be  able  to  declare  that  he  actually  saw  the  lion  jump  the  fence  with 
the  bullock  in  its  grip.  It  might  appear  to  do  this,  but  the  ox  would  struggle 
violently,  and  in  this  struggle  it  would  most  probably  burst  through  the  fence, 
and  subsequently  be  dragged  away  by  the  lion.  *  *  *  It  is  quite  a  mistake 
to  suppose  that  a  lion  can  carry  a  full-grown  ox ;  it  will  partially  lift  the  fore- 
quarter,  and  drag  the  carcass  along  the  ground." 

It  is  stated  that  the  usual  pace  of  a  lion  when  undisturbed  is  a  walk,  but  even 
then,  from  the  length  of  his  stride,  he  gets  over  the  ground  cjuicker  than  appears 
to  be  the  case.  When  going  more  rapidly  I  have  never  seen  a  lion  bound,  but 
they  come  along  at  a  clumsy  gallop,  somewhat  after  the  manner  of  a  dog,  get- 
ting over  the  ground  very  quickly. 

In  regard  tO'  the  ferocity  or  otherwise  of  the  lion's  disposition,  very  con- 
flicting statements  will  be  found  in  the  writings  of  different  observers.  Thus, 
whereas  Livingstone  states  that  nothing  would  lead  him  to  attribute  to  the 
lion  either  the  ferocious  or  noble  character  ascribed  to  it  by  others,  Sir  Samuel 
Baker  is  disposed  to  take  a  rather  opposite  view,  observing  that,  although  he 
does  not  consider  the  lion  to  be  either  so  formidable  or  so  ferocious  as  the 
tiger,  yet  there  is  no  reason  for  despising  an  animal  which  has  been  respected 
from  the  most  remote  anticjuity. 

All  writers  appear,  however,  to  be  agreed  that,  as  a  general  rule  (although 
there  are  exceptions),  a  lio'U  will  not  gO'  out  of  his  way  to>  make  an  unprovoked 
attack  upon  human  beings,  and  that,  in  point  of  fact,  he  will  rather  shun  a 
conflict  when  possible.  "There  is  nearly  always,"  writes  Mr.  Drummond, 
"some  explanation  of  its  behavior  when  it  acts  otherwise;  either  the  hunter 
has  approached  so  near  before  being"  discovered  that  the  animal  is  afraid  to 
turn  tail,  and,  urged  by  its  very  fears,  makes  a  charge ;  or  it  may  be  half- fam- 
ished, and  having  got  hold  of  some  prey,  either  of  your  killing  or  its  own,  will 
not  quit  it  without  a  contest;  or,  if  a  lioness  with  cubs,  will  fight  in  defense  of 
their  supposed  danger."  Sir  Samuel  Baker's  testimony  is  of  a  very  similar 
character,  when  he  mentions  that  the  expert  swordsmen  of  Central  Africa  have 
no  dread  of  the  lion  when  undisturbed  by  sportsmen,  although  they  hold  him 
in  the  highest  respect  when  he  becomes  the  object  of  chase.  Again,  in  another 
passage,  the  same  writer  mentions  that  among  the  Hamran  Arabs  of  the 
Sudan  the  lions,  although  numerous,  are  never  regarded  as  dangerous. 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   LION. 


US 


That  lions,  especially  when  hungry,  will,  however,  on  occasion  attack 
human  beings, — on  foot  or  when  mounted, — there  is  abundant  evidence.  A 
hunter  engaged  in  stalking  a  rhinosceros,  on  looking  back  was  horrified 
to  find  that  he  himself  was  being  stalked  by  a  lion.  There  was  but  one  time 
in  my  career  when  a  lion,  driven  by  hunger,  attacked  me  personally;  but  I 
believe  that  there  are  some  lions  which  will  always  make  unprovoked  attacks. 
This  view  is  supported  by  an  account  of  an  attack  made  upon  three  natives  in 
Eastern  Africa.  The  three  natives  in  question  were  passing  along  the  edge  of 
a  certain  lagooii,  when,  without  further  warning  than  a  slight  rustle,  a  lion 


/^EV/' 


THE   KING.  OF    BEASTS   DRINKING   AT   A    POOL. 


sprang  upon  the  foremost,  crushing  him  to  the  ground.  His  terrified  com- 
rades, throwing  away  the  chance  of  shooting  the  brute  while  it  was  still  upon 
its  first  victim  and  its  eyes  probably  closed,  rushed  to  the  nearest  trees  for 
safety,  but,  once  there,  feeling  ashamed  of  their  cowardly  desertion  of  an 
old  companion,  they  descended,  and  walking  forward  together  were  just  on 
the  point  of  firing,  when,  with  a  roar  that  almost  deprived  them  of  the  power 
to  run,  the  lion  charged,  caught  the  hindmost,  and  after  shaking  him  for  a 


124 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   LION. 


second  or  two,  gave  chase  tO'  the  other,  who,  however,  had  profited  by  the  time 
to  remove  himself,  by  a  bare  foot  or  so,  out  of  reach  of  the  spring  the  enraged 
animal  gave  as  it  saw  that  one  had  so  far  escaped.  It  then  returned  tO'  its  last 
victim,  not  yet  dead,  took  him  up  in  its  mouth,  dropped  him,  tossed  him  from 
paw  to  paw  as  a  cat  does  a  mouse,  and  at  last,  as  if  wearied  by  so'  much  unac- 
customed gentleness,  it  allowed  its  savage  nature  to  gain  the  mastery,  and  with 
one  crunch  of  its  powerful  jaw  put  him  out  of  his  pain."  The  sole  survivor 
of  this  tragedy,  after  having  been  besieged  for  hours  in  a  tree,  during  which 


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SIR    EDWIN    LANDSEER  S    WORLD    FAMOUS    PAINTING    OF    A    LION. 


he  had  a  hairbreadth  escape  when  descending  to  reach  his  gun,  finally  had  the 
satisfaction  of  putting  a  bullet  through  the  ribs  of  the  lion. 

Lion-hunting,  under  any  circumstances,  must  of  necessity  be  a  dangerous 
pursuit ;  but  it  may  be  followed  tO'  a  certain  extent  with  comparative  immunity 
from  harm  by  those  who  have  the  necessary  nerve  and  coolness,  coupled  with 
sufficient  knowledge  of  the  habits  of  the  animals.  I  consider  the  lion  a  far 
more  dangerous  animal  toi  encounter  than  any  other  creature  in  South  Africa. 
It  is  true,  indeed,  that  a  much  greater  number  of  casualties  occur  from 
buffalo-shooting  than  in  lion-hunting,  but  for  every  lion  that  has  of  late  years 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    LION. 


12! 


been  ''bagged"  in  the  interior  of  South  Africa,  at  least  fifty  buffaloes  have  been 
laid  low.  As  a  general  rule  the  danger  is  reduced  to  a  minimum  when  hunting 
with  dogs,  as  the  lion's  attention  is  generally  concentrated  on  his  canine  foes ; 
but  even  then  it  sometimes  happens  that  he  will  dash  straight  through  them 
to  attack  the  hunter.  A  mounted  hunter,  except  when  the  movements  of  his 
horse  are  impeded  b)y  thick  forest  or  by  yielding  sand,  can  generally  escape 
when  pursued,  as  the  pace  of  the  average  lion  is  not  sufficient  to  enable  him  to 
overtake  the  average  horse.  If,  however,  on  foot,  and  without  dogs,  though 
there  is  little  danger  in  attacking  lions  in  the  first  instance,  yet  to  follow  up 


A   PERFECT   SPECIMEN   OF   A   FULL-GROWN   LION. 


a  wounded  one  is  very  ticklish  work,  especially  in  long  grass  or  thick  cover, 
for  there  is  probably  no  animal  of  its  size  in  the  world  that  can  conceal  itself 
behind  so  slight  a  screen,  or  rush  upon  its  pursuer  with  such  lightning-like 
rapidity. 

It  should  always  be  recollected,  before  meddling  with  lions,  that  if  you 
do  come  to  close  quarters  with  them,  death  is  the  probable  result.  There  are 
cases  within  my  own  knowledge  wdiere,  single-handed  and  armed  only  with 
a  spear,  a  native  has  succeeded  in  killing  one  that  has  sprung  upon  him,  without 
receiving  in  return  anything  but  trifling  injuries;   but  these  are  only  excep- 


126  THE   STORY    OF    THE   LION. 

tions  that  prove  the  rule  that  when  they  strike  they  kill.  *  *  *  It  is  a  grand 
sight  to  see  one  charge  a  native  regiment  sent  out  after  it,  as  they  sometimes 
are,  springing  over  the  heads  of  the  first  line  right  intO'  the  center,  flying  about, 
knocking  men  down  with  every  blow,  until,  a  complete  sieve  of  assegai  wounds, 
it  dies  fighting. 

The  lion  tries  to  avoid  man  until  wounded,  and  it  is  only  in  exceptional 
cases  of  there  being  young  ones  to  guard,  or  from  astonishment  at  seeing  the 
hunter  so'  close  to-  them,  that  they  charge  wdien  being  tracked.  They  charge 
with  the  same  coughing  roar  that  a  tiger  does,  and  come  at  great  speed  close 
to  the  ground,  not  bounding  in  the  air  as  they  are  represented  in  pictures. 
Their  ears  are  pressed  close  to  the  head,  giving  them  the  comical  appearance 
of  being  without  ears.  So  large  an  animal  coming  at  full  speed  against  you 
of  course  knocks  you  off  your  legs.  The  claws  and  teeth  entering  the  flesh 
do  not  hurt  so  much  as  you  would  think.  The  only  really  painful  part  of  the 
business  is  the  squeeze  given  by  the  jaws  on  the  bone.  I  felt  none  of  the 
dreamy  stupor  Livingstone  describes,  but,  on  the  contrary,  felt  as  usual.  I 
adopted  the  course  of  lying  quite  still,  which,  I  believe,  is  the  best  thing  one 
can  do',  as  you  are  quite  helpless  with  a  heavy  animal  on  you,  and  they  are 
inclined  to  make  grabs  at  everything  that  moves,  and  the  fewer  bites  you  can 
get  off  with  the  better. 

Twice  in  my  life  I  have  escaped  death  by  the  ruse  of  feigning  death  when 
in  the  power  of  a  lion,  but  I  know  O'f  no'  other  situation  in  which  a  man  can 
be  placed  which  requires  as  much  nerve  and  control  of  the  muscles.  Imagine 
a  great  brute  nosing  and  sniffing  every  part  of  your  body  from  your  head  to 
feet;  imagine  feeling  its  hot  breath  or  the  saliva  from  its  dripping  jaws  upon 
your  face,  while  you  know  that  to^  stir  or  give  any  sign  of  life  means  instant 
death,  and  you  will  have  some  idea  how  a  hunter  feels  when  at  the  mercy  of 
the  king  of  beasts. 


THE  STORY   OF  THE 

MOUNTAIN    LION. 


Many  a  young  hunter  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  has  been  startled  out  of  a 
sound  sleep  by  a  wild,  unearthly  cry  unlike  any  other  sound  of  the  forest. 

"What's  that?"  he  would  ask,  listening  to  catch  a  repetition  of  the  .sound. 

"Go  to  sleep,"'  replies  the  old  hunter,  who  is  his  companion ;  "that's  only  a 
painter, — what  most  people  call  a  mountain  lion.  They  won't  bother  us ;  go 
to  sleep." 

The  mountain  lion  is  the  largest  representative  of  the  cat  family  in  Amer- 
ica. It  is  often  called  the  panther,  a  word  the  old-time  hunters  corrupted  into 
painter.  Some  works  on  natural  history  give  it  the  name  of  cougar,  but  I 
prefer  the  name  given  it  by  the  Peruvians — Puma,  which  has  been  adopted  by 
all  American  zoologists. 

In  regard  to  the  dimensions  of  the  puma,  it  is  stated  that  a  male  preserved 
in  the  museum  at  Washington  has  a  total  length  (measured  along  the  curves 
of  the  body)  oi  6  feet  7|  inches,  of  which  2  feet  2I  inches  are  occupied  by  the 
tail.  A  large  male  killed  in  Arizona  measured  7  feet  in  total  length,  of  which 
3  feet  was  occupied  by  the  tail ;  while  a  smaller  male  from  the  same  locality 
had  a  total  length  of  only  6  feet,  of  which  the  tail  took  up  i  foot  1 1  inches. 
The  largest  individual  of  which  the  measurements  can  be  regarded  as  authen- 

127 


128 


THE  STORY   OF   THE  MOUNTAIN  LION. 


ticated  was  one  killed  in  Texas  in  the  year  1846,  of  which  the  total  length 
was  8  feet  2  inches,  the  length  of  the  tail  being  3  feet  i  inch.  A  stuffed  speci- 
men measures  9  feet  i  inch  in  total  length.  I  believe  that  the  length  may  in 
some  instances  be  as  much  as  1 1  feet. 

In  the  parts  of  South  America  where  cattle  and  horses  are  largely  bred 
the  puma  is  a  terrible  scourge.     Indeed,  so  partial  is  it  to  horse-flesh,  that  in 


MOUNTAIN    LION,    TREED. 


some  parts  of  Patagonia  it  is  almost  impossible  to  breed  horses  owing  tO'  the 
destruction  of  their  colts.  An  instance  is  related  of  a  puma  springing  on  a  colt 
among  a  drove  in  charge  of  a  driver,  and  killing  it  so  suddenly  by  dislocation 
of  the  neck  that  the  unfortunate  animal  was  actually  dead  before  it  fell  to  the 
ground.  It  further  appears  that  in  districts  where  pumas  abound  the  semi- 
wild  horses  of  South  America  can  scarcely  maintain  their  existence,  owing  to 
the  slaughter  of  their  colts.     The  puma  does  not,  however,  confine  its  ravages 


THE  STORY   OF   THE  MOUNTAIN  LION. 


129 


on  horses  to  the  colts,  but  will  also  attack  and  kill  full-grown  adults.  The 
same  is  true  for  cattle,  among"  which  calves  more  generally,  and  cows  rarely, 
fall  victims  to  the  puma's  rapacity.  Horned  cattle  are,  however,  less  preferred 
than  sheep,  which,  next  to  horse-flesh,  forms  its  favorite  food  in  pastoral  dis- 
tricts. Indeed,  so  partial  are  pumas  to  mutton,  that  one  has  been  known  tO' 
make  use  of  a  calf-pen  as  a  place  of  concealment  from  which  to  raid  on  a  sheep- 
fold,  passing  through  the  former  without  offering  to  molest  its  tenants. 


A  PERFECT   SPECIMEN    OF    MOUNTAIN    LION. 


The  acme  of  daring  on  the  part  of  the  South  American  puma  is,  however, 
reached  in  the  attacks  which  it  makes  upon  the  jaguar;  and  it  appears  that 
in  North  America  the  puma  exhibits  an  equally  marked  hostility  to  the  grizzly 
bear.  In  these  respects  the  puma  is  undoubtedly  entitled  to  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  boldest  and  fiercest  of  carnivores  in  proportion  to  its  size. 

I  once,  and  once  only,  killed  a  puma,  and  nothing  will  induce  me  to  kill 
another.  On  the  occasion  referred  to  a  puma  was  found,  which  sat  perfectly 
still  with  its  back  against  a  stone,  not  even  moving  when  lassoed.     I  dis- 


130  THE  STORY   OF   THE  MOUNTAIN  LION. 

mounted,  and  drawing  my  knife,  advanced  to  kill  it;  still  the  puma  made  no 
attempt  to  free  itself  from  the  lasso,  but  it  seemed  to  know  what  was  coming, 
for  it  began  to  tremble,  the  tears  ran  from  its  eyes,  and  it  whined  in  the  most 
pitiful  manner.  I  killed  it  as  it  sat  there  unresisting  before  me;  but,  after 
accomplishing  the  deed,  felt  that  I  had  committed  a  murder.  If  this  were  an 
isolated  case,  it  would  not  be  of  much  importance,  but  scores  of  instances  attest 
that  this  strange  and  inexplicable  behavior  is  characteristic  of  the  South  Ameri- 
can puma,  and  that  it  almost  invariably  resigns  itself  tO'  death  in  this  unresist- 
ing manner.  Very  different  is,  however,  the  behavior  of  the  puma  when 
attacked  by  a  hunter  accompanied  by  dogs.  At  such  times,  the  animal  is 
roused  tO'  the  fiercest  paroxysms  of  rage ;  and  with  hair  erect  and  eyes  flash- 
ing like  balls  of  lurid  fire,  it  rushes  spitting  and  snarling  on  the  dogs,  utterly 
regardless  oi  the  presence  of  the  hunter.  So  thoroughly  indeed  is  the  hunter 
ignored  on  such  occasions,  that  he  may  actually  belabor  the  puma  on  the  head 
with  a  cudgel  without  drawing  its  attack  upon  himself;  the  animal  receiving 
such  blows  without  retaliation,  and  calmly  waiting  its  opportunity  of  making 
a  rush  upon  the  dogs. 

Strange  as  it  may  at  first  sight  appear,  the  pumas  of  the  Adirondacks  were 
wont  to  prey  largely  upon  the  porcupines  which  are  found  in  abundance  in 
that  wilderness,  and  individuals  were  frequently  killed  with  their  mouths  and 
lips,  and  sometimes  other  portions  of  their  bodies,  absolutely  bristling  with 
the  quills  of  porcupines.  Whether,  however,  these  animals  were  selected  as 
an  article  of  food  from  choice,  or  whether  the  pumas  were  driven  tO'  devour 
them  from  inability  to  capture  other  prey,  is  uncertain.  Be  this  as  it  may, 
porcupines  are  creatures  which,  from  their  sluggish  habits  and  contempt  of 
ordinary  foes,  may  be  easily  captured,  and  would  be  sure  to  come  in  the  way  of 
the  puma  during  its  nocturnal  wanderings.  The  North  American  puma  will 
eat  UmO'St  anything,  from  deer  down  to  rats,  mice,  fish  and  even  snails. 


THE  AFRICAN  BUFFALO 


The  Delights  of  the  Buffalo  Hunt  as  Experienced  by  Mr.  Roosevelt  and  Other  Sports- 
men— His  First  Encounter  with  This  Ferocious  Animal — The  Story  of  the 
Buffalo. 


Mr.  Roosevelt  found  the  African  buffalo  to  be  a  much  more  cunning 
and  dangerous  animal  than  his  Rocky  Mountain  namesake,  with  whom  he 
formed  acquaintance  during  the  early  years  of  his  life  as  a  ranchman  and 

When  pursued  the   African  buffalo 


hunter  in  the  great   American   West 


From  photograph. 


BUFFALO    HUNTERS    IN    EAST   AFRICA. 


would  run  away  at  a  considerable  distance  and  hide  behind  some  huge  trunk 
to  suddenly  spring  on  the  approaching  imsuspecting  hunter,  whose  only  salva- 
tion lies  in  a  sure  aim  and  cool  presence  of  mind. 

The  above  illustration  represents  a  company  of  officials  and  famous  hunters 
in  the  Kilimanjaro  district,  through  which  Roosevelt  passed  by  the  Uganda 
Railroad,  on  his  way  from  Mombasa  to  Kapiti  Plains.     In  the  foreground 

131 


132  THE  AFRICAN  BUFFALO. 

there  are  two  splendid  heads  of  wild  buffalo,  which  have  just  been  killed  in 
the  regions  around  Africa's  highest  mountain  peak. 

Next  to  the  lion  the  buffalo  is  the  most  dangerous  African  game.  During 
the  last  fifty  years  hundreds  of  hunters  have  lost  their  lives  in  its  pursuit 
and  dozens  are  annually  mauled  to  death  under  its  powerful  horns. 

The  full-grown  male  African  buffaloes,  which  Mr.  Roosevelt  hunted,  stood 
five  feet  eight  inches  high  at  the  shoulders  and  were  up  to  twelve  feet  in 
length.  Unlike  the  American  bisons,  they  are  hunchless  and  straight  backed, 
have  short  and  small  heads  and  a  square  muzzle,  shaped  like  that  of  our  ox. 
Our  ex-President  found  them  to  be  the  most  cunning  and  cautious  of  all 
African  wild  beasts.  They  live  in  large  herds  and  thrive  excellently  all  over 
British  East  Africa.  Their  charge  is  so  violent  as  to  carry  everything  before 
them.  An  enraged  buffalo  goes  through  the  densest  jungle  like  an  auto- 
mobile and  nothing  can  check  his  furious  onslaught.  The  safest  way,  there- 
fore, is  to  kill  him  before  he  has  time  to  charge.  In  fact,  two  of  the  first 
four  buffaloes  Mr.  Roosevelt  bagged  had  no  time  to  charge  at  all.  and  the 
other  two  were  speedily  dispatched  just  as  they  were  about  to  start. 

Some  years  ago  the  buffalo  was  on  the  list  of  protected  animals,  but  this 
resulted  in  its  becoming  so  numerous  as  to  be  a  veritable  pest,  destroying  the 
crops  of  the  farmers  and  even  threatening  the  lives  of  the  natives.  It  now 
is  counted  as  vermin  and  may  be  killed  at  will.  There  is  no  danger,  however. 
of  its  being  exterminated,  for  the  British  Government  has  created  an  exten- 
sive game  reserve  on  both  sides  of  the  Uganda  Railroad,  where  thousands 
of  v:ild  buffaloes  are  allowed  to  thrive  unmolested,  and  from  where  the 
surrounding  country  is  constantly  supplied  with  fresh  stock. 

The  first  buffalo  shot  by  Colonel  Roosevelt  in  East  Africa  was  of  the 
typical  African  species,  about  six  feet  high  at  the  shoulders,  having  upward 
curving  horns  with  a  spread  of  seven  feet,  and  bluish-black  coat. 

His  achievements  as  a  hunter  have  been  record-breaking,  for  his  first  three 
months'  efforts  yielded  forty-two  big  head  of  game,  among  which  were  five 
large  buffaloes,  and  last  fall  the  bag  tallied  104  animals,  of  which  sixty-nme 
fell  before  the  unerring  aim  of  the  father's  rifle  and  thirty-five  at  the  crack 
of  the  son's  weapon.  Still  he  does  not  kill  more  than  he  has  to,  his  aim  being 
to  supply  our  National  Museum  with  valuable  specimens  and  not  to  satisfy 
a  personal  desire  for  exciting  adventures. 

'T  regret  very  much  the  criticism  and  claim  of  wanton  slaughter  of  ani- 
mals, which  I  have  heard  has  come  from  America,"  he  said  to  an  American 
newspaper  man  who  recently  returned  from  East  Africa,  "because  I  have 


THE  AFRICAN  BUFFALO. 


133 


only  been  killing  one  specimen  and  no  more,  except  in  the  case  of  the  Hons, 
a  pest  to  humanity.  In  the  case  of  the  lions  I  have  received  the  heartiest 
thanks  of  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  I  have  killed  the  beasts. 

"I  am  not  a  good  shot,"  the  famous  hunter  said  to  the  correspondent,  with 
characteristic  modesty,  ''but  I  shoot  often." 

The  same  statement  was  also  made  to  the  two  experienced  hunters,  Selous 


A   VISIT  FOR  THE  EXCHANGE  OF  PRESENTS. 


and  Cunninghame,  who  accompany  the  safari,  and  both  met  it  with  the  most 
emphatic  contradiction.  Mr.  Roosevelt's  marvelous  game  record  also  shows 
that  his  hits  are  much  more  frequent  than  his  misses. 

The  people  of  the  land,  natives  ^s  well  as  European  settlers,  were  amazed 
at  the  energy  of  the  former  President.  The  individual  members  of  the  cara- 
van were  often  marched  to  death  and  anxious  to  quit.     They  therefore  em- 


134  THE  AFRICAN  BUFFALO. 

Ijraced  every  opportunity  to  halt  and  take  some  rest.  Such  an  occasion  was 
the  visit  the  chief  of  the  war-hke  Wakamba  tribe,  accompanied  by  his 
warriors,  made  to  the  camp.  These  savages  still  adhere  to  their  primitive 
custom  of  bringing  presents  to  visitors,  expecting,  of  course,  more  valuable 
ones  in  return.  The  Wakamba  is  the  only  native  tribe  that  has  succeeded 
in  maintaining  its  independence  against  their  neighbors,  the  ferocious  Masai 
people,  whose  territory  extends  to  the  Mt.  Kenia  region,  only  two  days'  march 
from  the  beautiful  Juja  farm,  wdiere  Mr.  Roosevelt  was  so  hospitably  enter- 
tained by  his  American  friend,  Mr.  McMillan  and  his  family.  Our  illustration 
shows  a  company  of  Aiasai  camping  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  These  w^ar- 
like  savages  subsist  only  upon  milk  and  blood  of  their  herds  of  cattle.  When 
a  caravan  is  on  safari  in  the  neighborhood  the  Masai  women  will  come  down 
at  sunrise  to  fetch  fresh  milk  for  the  camp  and  sing  to  the  whole  power  of 
their  beings  the  same  sort  of  a  good-wish  song,  for  all  which  presents  are 
usually  expected. 

While  the  name  by  which  the  animal  is  generally  know^n  is  buffalo,  the  cor- 
rect name  is  l^ison.  but  the  name  buffalo  has  been  in  vogue  for  so  long  that  it 
will  no  doubt  continue  to  l)e  used,  while  there  are  any  of  the  animals  left. 

We  now  proceed  to  give  our  readers  some  further  interesting  details  as 
to  the  habits  and  nature  of  the  buffalo. 

Of  all  the  quadrupeds  that  have  ever  lived  upon  the  earth,  probably  no 
other  species  has  ever  marshaled  such  innumerable  hosts  as  those  of  the  Ameri- 
can buffalo.  It  would  have  been  as  easy  to  count  or  to  estimate  the  number 
of  leaves  in  a  forest  as  to  calculate  the  number  of  buffalo'  living  at  any  given 
time  during  the  history  of  the  species  previous  to^  1870.  Even  in  South  Central 
Africa,  which  has  been  exceedingly  prolific  in  great  herds  of  game,  it  is  prob- 
able that  all  its  quadrupeds  taken  together  on  an  equal  area  w^ould  never  have 
more  than  equaled  the  total  number  of  buffalc'  in  this  country  forty  years  ago. 
As  an  instance  of  these  enormous  numbers,  it  appears  that,  in  the  early  part 
of  the  year  1871,  Col,  Dodge,  when  passing  through  the  great  herd  00  the 
Arkansas,  and  reckoning  that  there  were  some  fifteen  or  twenty  individuals  to 
the  acre,  states  from  his  own  observation  that  it  w'as  not  less  than  twenty-five 
miles  wide  and  fifty  miles  deep.  This,  however,  was  the  last  of  the  great 
herds,  and  the  number  of  individuals  comprising  it  could  not  be  reckoned  at 
less  than  four  millions.  Many  writers  at  and  about  the  date  mentioned  speak 
of  the  plains  being  absolutely  black  with  buffalo  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach. 
One  man  passed  through  a  herd  for  a  distance  of  upwards  of  one  hundred  and 
tw^enty  miles  right  on  end,  in  traveling  on  the  Kansas  Pacific  railroad.    Fre- 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    BUFFALO. 


135 


qtiently,  indeed,  trains  on  that  line  were  derailed  in  attempting  to  pass  through 
herds  of  bnffalo',  until  the  engineers  learned  it  was  advisable  to  bring  their 
engines  to  a  standstill  when  they  found  the  line  blocked  in  this  manner. 

When  I  was  on  the  Arkansas  river  in  1867  the  whole  country  appeared  one 
great  mass  of  buffalo  moving  slowly  to  the  northward ;  and  it  was  only  when 
actually  among  them  that  it  could  be  ascertained  that  the  apparently  solid  mass 
was  an  agglomeration  of  numerous  small  herds,  of  from  fifty  to  two  hundred 
animals,  separated  from  the  surrounding  herds  by  greater  or  less  space,  but  still 


A    FAMILY    OF    AMERICAN    BUFFALO    OR    BISON. 


separated.  The  buffalo  on  the  hills,  seeing  an  unusual  object  in  their  rear, 
started  at  full  speed  directly  towards  me,  stampeding  and  bringing  with  them 
the  numberless  herds  through  which  they  passed,  and  pouring  down  upon  all 
the  herds,  noi  longer  separated,  but  one  immense  compact  mass  of  plunging 
animals. 

In  their  periodical  journeys  across  the  country  in  search  of  water  regular 
tracks  were  formed  by  the  buffalo,  and  as  the  water  was  approached  several 


136  THE   STORY   OF   THE   BUFFALO. 

tracks  united,  with  the  result  that  in  some  places  tracks  of  about  twelve  inches 
in  width,  and  from  a  foot  to  two  feet  in  depth,  may  be  seen  following  the  level 
of  the  valleys ;  the  buffalo  in  these  journeys  having  always  marched  in  single 
file.  These  old  buffalo^tracks  still  remain  as  a  mementO'  of  a  vanished  race, 
and  are  now  used  by  the  domestic  cattle  which  have  supplanted  the  monarchs 
of  the  prairie.  After  reaching  the  watering-place,  the  herd,  instead  of  return- 
ing to  its  original  feeding-ground,  would  wander  right  and  left  in  search  of 
fresh  pastures.  When  undisturbed  in  good  pasture,  buffalo'  were  always  in 
the  habit  of  lying  down  for  a  few  hours  during  the  middle  of  the  day;  and 
they  were  at  certain  seasons  fond  of  rolling  either  in  dust  or  mud.  In  dis- 
tricts where  salt  lakes  occurred,  the  buffalo  would  resort  to  them  in  great 
numbers.  All  the  great  herds  were  in  the  habit  of  moving  southwards  for 
a  distance  of  from  twoi  hundred  to  four  hundred  miles  with  the  approach  of 
winter;  and  during  such  journeys  it  frequently  happened  that  numbers  were 
lost  in  crossing  quick-sands,  alkali-bogs,  muddy  fords,  or  on  treacherous  ice. 
It  is  stated  that  in  1867  upwards  of  two  thousand  buffalo  out  of  a  herd  of 
four  thousand  were  lost  in  a  quicksand ;  and  that  an  entire  herd  oi  about  one 
hundred  head  perished  when  crossing  the  ice  on  a  lake  in  Minnesota. 

I  have  seen  buffalo  boldly  face  the  cutting  blizzards  of  the  Northwest, 
mstead  of  turning  tail  to  them  after  the  manner  of  domestic  cattle ;  although 
they  would  at  the  same  time  seek  such  shelter  as  might  be  obtainable  by  retir- 
ing to  the  ravines  and  valleys.  In  heavy  falls  of  snow,  which  lay  long  on 
the  ground,  the  buffalo  were  often  compelled  tO'  fast  for  days,  or  even  weeks, 
together;  but  they  suffered  most  when  the  surface  of  the  snow  was  covered 
with  a  thin  crust  of  ice  after  a  slight  thaw,  as  their  ponderous  weight  would 
drive  their  feet  deep  intO'  the  snow,  and  leave  them  at  the  mercy  of  the  Indians, 
by  whom  they  were  slain  by  hundreds  when  thus  helpless. 

The  method  of  stalking,  or  ''still-hunting,"  where  the  hunter  creeps  up  to  a 
herd  and  shoots  one  after  another  of  its  members,  appears  to  be  one  the  most 
deadly  modes  of  hunting  the  buffalO',  owing  tO'  the  crass  stupidity  of  the  animals 
themselves.  The  plan  adopted  was  first  to  shoot  the  leader,  when  the  remainder 
of  the  herd  would  come  and  stupidly  smell  round  the  body,  till  another  animal 
assumed  the  post  of  leader,  and  was  shot  down  when  it  was  about  to  make 
a  move;  the  same  process  being  repeated  almost  without  end.  Riding  down, 
surrounding,  impounding,  or  hunting  in  snow-shoes  were,  however,  other 
equally  effective  methods  of  destruction. 

In  captivity  the  American  buffalo'  breeds  freely,  not  only  with  its  own  kind, 
but  also  with  other  species  of  cattle.     In  the  United  States  a  herd  has  been 


THE   STORY    OF   THE    BUFFALO. 


137 


established  by  crossing  bull  buffalo  with  domestic  cows;  the  buffalo  cow  not 
producing  a  hybrid  oft'spring.  This  hybrid  race  is  perfectly  fertile,  either  with 
itself  or  when  again  crossed  with  domestic  cattle;  and  it  is  considered  that  a 
strain  of  buffalo-blood  will  lead  to'  the  cattle  in  the  Northwestern  states  beine 
better  enabled  to  withstand  the  blizzards  of  those  districts. 

In  general  the  buft'aloi  has  no  reason  to  fear  any  of  the  other  animals  that 
frequent  die  regions  it  inhabits,  for  if  an  individual  should  be  attacked,  the 


AMERICAN    BUFFALOES,    SHOWING    METHODS    OF    HUNTING    THEM. 


bulls  rally  to  its  assistance,  and  compel  the  assailant  tO'  flee  before  the  blows 
which  they  inflict  with  their  armed  heads.  It  is  only  when  wounded  by  the 
Indian's  arrow,  or  by  the  bullet  of  the  white  man's  rifle,  or  else  from  becom- 
ing sick  from  any  cause,  that  this  great  beast  falls  a  victim  tO'  its  four-footed 
enemies.  The  cunning  white  wolf  is  the  one  it  has  most  tO'  dread ;  for  these 
stealthy,  thick-coated  Arabs  of  the  prairies  soon  ascertain  when  a  buffalo  is  in 


138  THE   STORY    OF    THE   BUFFALO. 

feeble  condition,  and,  banding  together,  easily  pull  it  to  the  ground  and  tear 
it  to  pieces.  But  the  buffalo  does  not  succumb  to  its  foes  without  an  effort 
to  preserve  Its  fast-ebbing  life.  Bold  and  gallant  to  the  last,  staggering  to  his 
sole  remaining  spot  of  vantage  ground,  the  feeble  knees  bending  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  mighty  body — weak  with  loss  of  blood,  yet  still  unconquered — 
the  noble  bull  tosses  his  fierce-looking  head  and  bids  defiance  to  his  lurking- 
foes.  With  eager,  bloodshot  eyes,  and  the  keen  white  fangs  glistening  in  their 
powerful  jaws,  the  wolves  set  on  him  from  every  side.  By  sudden  springs  they 
seize  and  tear  his  flesh  with  their  sharp  teeth,  darting  away  too  quickly  to  be 
injured  by  horn  or  hoof.  Vain  are  his  efforts  tO'  reach  the  nimble  assailants, 
until,  summoning  all  his  remaining  strength,  he  rushes  upon  one  that,  more 
daring  than  the  rest^  attacks  him  in  front,  and  even  in  the  act  of  trampling 
him  down,  falls  upon  the  body  of  his  prostrate  foe,  too  feeble  to  carry  out  the 
unequal  combat.  Never  will  he  rise  again,  for  instantly  the  angry  wolves 
fairly  swarm  upon  him,  and  soon  nothing  will  be  left  to  tell  of  the  mighty 
buffalo  but  a  well  picked  skeleton  whitening  in  the  summer  sun. 

Mounted  on  a  swift  horse,  and  armed  with  a  spear  and  bow  and  arrows, 
the  Indians  killed  great  numbers  of  these  animals.  They  rode  up  close  to  the 
buffalo,  and  with  the  greatest  apparent  ease  buried  an  arrow  up  to  its  feather  in 
the  creature's  body.  Indeed  many  instances  are  known  where  the  slight  Indian 
bow,  draw^n  without  any  perceptible  effort,  has  thrown  the  arrow  completely 
through  the  body  of  the  huge  animal.  Many  modes  of  destroying  this  animal 
were  in  vogue  among  the  Indians  and  white  settlers.  The  skin  was  so  valuable 
that  every  exertion  was  made  to  procure  it.  Of  the  buffalo's  hide  they  made 
their  wigwams  or  tents,  their  shields,  their  robes,  their  shoes,  etc.  The  Indians 
could  also  sell  the  hides  to  the  traders  for  a  considerable  sum,  so  that  an  Indian 
would  almost  measure  his  importance  and  wealth  by  the  number  of  hides  that 
he  took. 

Their  ferocity  of  appearance  was  not  evident  in  the  buffaloes'  true  nature, 
for  their  disposition  was  sluggish  and  fearful.  Endowed  with  the  smallest 
possible  amount  of  instinct,  the  little  the  buffalo  has  seems  adapted  rather  for 
getting  him  into  difficulties  than  out  of  them.  If  not  alarmed  at  the  sight  or 
smell  of  a  foe,  he  will  stand  stupidly  gazing  at  his  companions  in  their  death- 
throes,  until  the  whole  herd  is  shot  down.  He  will  walk  unconsciously  in  a 
quicksand  or  quagmire  already  choked  with  struggling,  dying  victims.  Hav- 
ing made  up  his  mind  to  go  a  certain  way,  it  is  almost  impossible  to  swerve 
him  from  his  purpose. 

The  flesh  of  the  buffalo  is  tolerable  eatin"^,  but  the  "hump"  is  unai^proacJ^i- 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    BUFFALO. 


139 


able  in  delicacy.  It  is  exceedingly  tender,  and  possesses  the  property  of  not 
cloying  even  when  eaten  in  excess.  The  fat  is  devoid  of  that  sickening  rich- 
ness which  is  usually  met  with  in  our  domesticated  animals. 

The  cow  is  smaller  than  the  bull,  and  considerably  swifter.  She  is  also' 
generally  in  better  condition  and  fatter  than  her  mate,  and  in  consequence  the 
hunters  who  went  to  "get  meat"  always  selected  the  cows  from  the  herd. 

The  principal  use  of  the  flesh  of  the  buffalo  was  to  make  ''jerked  meat"  of 
it.     This  is  made  by  cutting  the  meat  into  long,  narrow  slips,  and  drying 


EUROPEAN    BUFFALOES    FIGHTING. 


them  in  the  sun.  There  is  a  peculiar  art  in  cutting  these  slips.  The  operator 
takes  a  large  lump  of  the  flesh,  and  holding  his  knife  firmly  in  one  hand,  presses 
the  meat  against  its  edge  with  the  other,  continually  turning  it  round  and 
round,  until  the  whole  piece  is  converted  into  one  long  strip.  The  strips  thus 
prepared  are  pegged  out  on  stakes,  as  washerwomen  peg  their  clothes,  or  sus- 
pended in  festooiis  on  the  branches  of  trees,  like  red  snakes,  until  they  are  dry 
enough  to  be  packed  up.  Three  days  is  considered  sufficient  for  the  purpose. 
The  cow  is  preferred  to  the  bull  for  conversion  into  jerked  meat,  while  the 


140  THE   STORY   OF   THE   BUFFALO. 

skin  of  the  bull  is  more  valuable  than  that  of  the  cow,  from  the  mass  of  woolly 
hair  about  the  shoulders. 

THE  INDIAN  BUFFALO. 

'  The  Indian  buffalo  has  been  domesticated  and  is  extensively  employed 
as  a  beast  of  burden  by  the  Hindoos.  It  has  also  been  introduced  into  several 
of  the  adjoining  countries.  The  animal  is  about  the  size  of  a  full-grown 
ox  and  is  harnessed  and  driven  in  a  manner  similar  to  that  our  forefathers 
used  with  the  ox.  This  species  has  enormous  curved  horns,  some  measuring 
12  and  14  feet  from  tip  to  tip. 

In  a  wild  state  the  Indian  buffalo  is  only  known  in  the  country  from  which 
it  takes  its  name,  the  herds  which  are  found  in  a  wild  state  in  Burma  and 
the  Malay  Peninsula  and  adjacent  islands  being  not  improbably  descended 
from  animals  escaped  from  captivity. 

In  India  wild  buffaloes  are  found  on  the  plains  of  the  Bramaputra  and 
Ganges,  from  the  eastern  end  of  Assam  tO'  Tirhut ;  they  also  occur  in  the  "terai" 
land  at  the  foot  of  the  Himalaya.  Domesticated  buffaloes  are  found  not  oiily 
over  the  whole  of  India  and  Burma,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  Malayan 
region,  but  have  likewise  been  introduced  intO'  Asia  Minor,  Egypt  and  Italy. 

The  haunts  of  the  wild  Indian  buffalo  are  the  tall  grass- jungles  found 
in  many  parts  of  the  plains  of  India,  and  generally  in  the  neighborhood  ol 
swamps ;  but  it'  may  be  also  found  more  rarely  in  the  open  plains  of  shorv 
grass,  or  among  low  jungle,  and  occasionally  even"  in  forest.  Those  who 
have  never  had  the  opportunity  of  seeing  an  Indian  grass-jungle  cain  have  but 
little  conception  of  its  height  and  density,  but  some  idea  may  be  formed  ol 
it  from  the  fact  that  in  such  cover,  although  a  herd  of  buffaloes  may  be  roused 
within  a  score  of  yards,  the  waving  of  the  grass,  and  perhaps  the  glint  of  h 
polished  horn-tip,  is  the  only  ocular  evidence  of  the  presence  of  the  animals; 
the  probably  nearly  noiseless  rush  might  be  caused  by  other  animals;  and 
where  the  horns  have  not  been  seen  it  is  only  by  the  strong,  sweet  bovine 
scent — similar  to  but  much  more  powerful  than  that  of  cows — that  one  can 
be  absolutely  certain  of  what  is  in  front  of  one.  In  such  jungles  shooting 
on  foot  is  out  of  the  question,  and  the  only  method  of  procedure  is  by  beating 
with  a  line  of  elephants. 

In  their  wild  state  these  buffaloes  are  always  found  in  herds,  which  may 
comprise  fifty  or  more  individuals.  Tliey  feed  chiefly  on  grass,  in  the  evening, 
at  night,  and  in  the  morning;  and  lie  down,  generally  in  high  grass,  not 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   BUFFALO. 


141 


unfrequently  in  a  marsh,  during  the  day ;  they  are  by  noi  means  shy,  nor  do> 
they  appear  to  shnn  the  neighborhood  of  man,  and  they  commit  great  havoc 
among  growing  crops.  Sometimes  a  herd  or  a  solitary  bull  will  take  posses- 
sion of  a  field  and  keep  Oiff  the  men  whoi  own  it.  A  bull  not  unfrequently 
attacks  without  provocation,  though  (probably  on  the  principle  that  a  council 


THE    ARNEE   BUFFALO   OF   ASSAM. 


of  war  never  fights)  a  herd,  although  all  will  gallop  toi  within  a  short  distance 
of  an  intruder  and  make  most  formidable  demonstrations,  never,  I  believe, 
attacks  any  one  who  does  not  run  away  from  them.  A  wounded  animal 
of  either  sex  often  charges,  and  has  occasionally  been  known  toi  knock  an 
elephant  down.     Buffaloes  retain  their  courage  in  captivity,  and  a  herd  will 


142 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    BUFFALO. 


attack  a  tiger  or  other  dangerous  animal  withont  hesitation,  and,  although 
gentle  with  those  they  know  and  greatly  attached  to  them,  they  are  inclined 
to  be  hostile  to  strange  men  and  strange  animals. 

In  earlier  times  the  buffalo  was  common  throughout  Europe,  but  the 
advance  of  civilization  there  as  in  this  country  later  drove  the  animal  back, 
until  the  present  time  it  is  restricted  tO'  a  few  of  the  most  inaccessible  mountain 
regions. 


I'lyyffliiliiiili'ili 


COMMON    INDIAN    BUFFALO. 


The  buffalo  now  living  in  Lithuania  are  specially  protected  by  the  Russian 
Government  and  are  under  the  charge  of  a  staff  oi  keepers,  but  those  of  the 
Caucasus  are  thoroughly  wild.  Although  living  at  a  greater  altitude,  and 
thus  exposed  to  a  more  intense  cold,  the  buffalo  of  the  Caucasus  are  less 
thickly  haired  than  are  those  of  Lithuania.  Buffalo^  were  abundant  in  the 
Black  Forest  in  the  time  of  Julius  Caesar,  and  as  late  as  the  ninth  and  tenth 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    BUFFALO. 


14^ 


centuries  were  snfiiciently  numerous  in  parts  of  Switzerland  and  Germany 
to  be  used  as  food.  In  a  recent  summary  of  the  history  of  the  species  I  found 
that  up  to  1500  the  European  buffalo  seems  to  have  been  common  in  Poland, 
where  it  was  looked  upon  as  royal  game,  and  hunted  in  right  royal  manner 
by  the  king  and  nobility,  as  many  as  two  thousand  or  three  thousand  beaters 
being  employed  toi  drive  the  game. 


l!'! 


j#*iili!iilii'illllii: 


CAPE   BUFFALOES. 


In  spite  of  their  size  and  bulk,  the  European  buffalo'  are  active  animals, 
and  can  both  trot  and  gallop  with  considerable  speed.  In  galloping  the  head 
is  carried  close  to  the  ground  and  the  tail  high  in  the  air.  Generally  they 
are  sly  and  retiring  in  disposition,  but  in  Lithuania  an  old  bull  has  been 
known  to  take  possession  of  a  road  and  challenge  all  comers.     The  female  dis- 


144  THE   STORY    OF    THE   BUFFALO. 

plays  great  courage  in  defending  its  offspring  against  bears  and  wolves,  and 
cows  often  sacrifice  their  lives  in  behalf  of  their  calves. 

THE  CAPE  BUFFALO. 

The  Cape  buffalo  is  a  native  of  South  Africa.  It  is  exceedingly  ferocious 
and  cunning,  often  lurking  among  the  trees  until  an  unsuspecting  traveler 
approaches,  and  then  rushing  on  him  and  destroying  him.  The  ferocious 
creature  is  not  content  with  killing  its  victim,  but  stands  over  him  mangling 
him  with  its  horns,  and  stamping  on  him  with  its  feet. 

The  Cape  buffalo  has  but  two  enemies — the  lion  and  man;  and  the  com- 
bined assaults  of  these  two  have  in  some  districts  so  reduced  its  numbers  that 
as  far  back  as  1875,  where  there  were  formerly  herds  of  from  ten  to  one  hun- 
dred in  number,  not  ten  head  are  tO'  be  found.  A  combat  between  three  lions 
and  a  bull  buffalo  was  once  witnessed  by  me.  After  a  game  fight  the  buffalo 
was  vanquished.  The  bulls  frequently  engage  in  fights  between  themselves 
I  had  the  good  fortune  to  witness  one  of  these.  On  looking  through  the  edge 
of  a  thicket  which  concealed  them  I  saw  two  buffalo  bulls  standing  facing  each 
other  with  lowered  heads,  and,  as  I  sat  down  to*  watch,  they  rushed  together 
with  all  their  force,  producing  a  loud  crash.  Once  their  horns  were  interlocked, 
they  kept  them  so,  their  straining  quarters  telling  that  each  was  doing  his  best 
to  force  the  other  backwards.  Several  long  white  marks  on  their  necks 
showed  where  they  had  received  scratches,  and  blood  dripping  down  the 
withers  of  the  one  next  me  proved  that  he  had  received  a  more  severe  wound. 
It  was  a  magnificent  sight  to  see  the  enormous  animals,  every  muscle  at  its 
fullest  tension,  striving  for  the  mastery.  Soon  one,  a  very  large  and  old 
bull,  began  to  yield  a  little,  going  backwards  step  by  step,  but  at  last,  as  if 
determined  to  conquer  or  die,  it  dropped  on  its  knees.  The  other,  disengaging 
his  horns  for  a  second,  so  as  to  gain  an  impetus,  again  rushed  at  him,  but 
did  not  strike  him  on  the  forehead,  but  on  the  neck,  under  the  hump,  and  I 
could  see  that  with  a  twist  of  his  horns  he  inflicted  a  severe  wound.  Instead, 
however,  of  following  up  his  advantage,  this  one  withdrew  and  gave  up  the 
battle.     Had  he  pressed  his  advantage  he  would  eventually  have  won. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  FOSSA. 


The  fossa  of  Madagascar,  which  is  the  largest  flesh-eating  animal  found 
in  that  island,  is  the  species  connecting  the  more  typical  members  of  the  cat 
family.  This  peculiar  animal  differs,  indeed,  sO'  remarkably  from  all  the 
other  representatives  of  the  tribe,  that  it  has  been  considered  by  some  that  it 
ought  to  be  referred  to  a  separate  family. 

The  fossa  is  a  nearly  uniformly-colored  animal,  with  short  and  thick  pale 
brown  fur;  and  it  attains  a  total  length  of  about  five  feet  from  the  snout 
to  the  tip  of  the  tail,  the  length  of  the  tail  being  more  than  three-quarters  that 
of  the  head  and  body.  The  curved  claws  are  sharp  and  retractile ;  and  the  feet, 
each  of  which  is  furnished  with  five  claws,  are  very  similar  to  those  of  a  cat, 
except  that  the  whole  sole  of  the  hind  pair  is  naked,  and  applied  tO'  the  ground 
in  walking. 

It  is  a  purely  nocturnal  creature,  of  a  fierce  disposition,  but  scarcely  any- 
thing is  yet  known  of  its  habits. 

The  fossa  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  most  interesting  beasts  of  prey,  if  not 
one  of  the  most  interesting  of  animal  creatures  in  general.  Any  scientist 
who  disputes  the  fact  that  intermediate  forms,  which  play  such  an  impor- 
tant part  in  natural  history  in  its  newest  aspect,  really  exist,  must  keep  silence 
when  he  beholds  this  animal.  The  fossa  cannot  be  determined  nor  compre- 
hended in  any  other  way  but  as  an  intermediate  or  transitional  form — as  a 
link  connecting  the  real  cats  with  kindred  animals.     These  animals  existed 

145 


146 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  FOSSA. 


in  a  less  perfect  state  at  an  earlier  period  ol  the  earth's  development,  and 
are  called  stealthy  cats,  including  the  palm-civets,  civets,  genets  and  mun- 
gooses.  Should  the  body  of  a  large,  reddish-brown  palm-civet  be  imbued  with 
the  lively,  sportive  nature,  the  intense  elasticity  and  supple  mobility  of  a  true 


THE  FOSSA 


cat,  this  unique  animal  would  present  in  itself  the  combination  of  these  con- 
tradictory features.  The  feet,  which  are  furnished  with  curved,  sharp,  and 
somewhat  retractable  claws,  are  very  similar  tO'  those  of  a  cat,  except  that 
the  whole  sole  of  the  hind  pair  is  knotted,  and  applied  to  the  ground  in  walk- 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  FOSSA.  147 

ing-.  The  picture,  unfortunately,  does  not  convey  a  correct  idea  of  the  dispo^ 
sition  Oif  the  animal,  the  splendid,  serpent-like,  wavy  motions  of  its  body, 
which  is  of  a  light  brown  color  tinged  with  red  and  gray.  The  muscular 
structure,  however,  shoAvs  a  powerful,  compact  build.  The  limbs,  though 
small,  are  well  knit.  The  ears  are  large  and  rounded,  while  the  tail  measures 
more  than  three-fourths  of  the  length  of  the  head  and  body.  The  fossa  has 
a  total  of  thirty-six  teeth,  oi  which  the  hinder  ones,  both  in  form  and  number, 
clo'sely  resemble  those  of  the  cat. 

It  is  because  the  fossa  is  the  largest  of  the  flesh-eating  animals  of  Mada- 
gascar that  the  lemurs  flourish  in  that  island.  The  fossa  undoubtedly  kills 
many  of  the  smaller  lemurs,  but  owing  to  the  agility  of  those  monkey-like 
little  animals,  it  is  difficult  for  even  such  an  active,  agile  animal  as  the  fossa 
to  catch  them — hence  many  escape  because  the  fossa  turns  its  attention  to 
the  pursuit  of  still  smaller  and  easier  prey. 


HUNTING  THE  ELEPHANT 

Elephant  Charges  ex-President — His  Narrow  Escape  from  Death — Dangers  and  Excite- 
ment of  the  Elephant  Hunt — The  Story  of  the  Elephant. 


The  most  glorious  hour  in  Mr.  Roosevelt's  experience  as  an  African 
sportsman  was  that  in  which  he  bagged  his  first  elephant.  When  the  hunter 
succeeds  in  bringing  the  animal  down  at  close  range,  in  a  thicket,  his  heart 
beats  with  delight — it  is  just  a  chance  what  his  fate  may  be.  However,  widely 
experienced   travelers   differ   in   their  views   in    regard   tO'  African   sport   in 


AN    IVORY   AND   PALM   OIL   CARAVAN. 

general.  They  are  all  agreed  that  elephant  hunting  is  the  most  dangerous 
task  to  which  a  man  can  set  himself.  Sooner  or  later  the  luck  goes  against 
the  hunter.  Of  recent  years  a  large  number  of  good  shots  have  lost  their 
lives  in  Africa.  If  one  of  these  huge  animals  once  gets  at  the  hunter,  he  is 
as  good  as  dead.  Mr.  Roosevelt,  too,  narrowly  escaped  death  when  shooting 
his  first  bull  elephant. 

148 


HUNTING  THE  ELEPHANT.  149 

Accompanied  by  his  son  Kermit,  Edward  Heller,  R.  J.  Cunninghame  and 
Mr.  Seloiis,  he  left  Nairobi  in  the  early  days  of  August  for  Nyeri,  with  the 
intention  of  getting  a  bull,  cow  or  calf  elephant  for  the  National  Museum. 

Although  better  elephants  are  obtainable  in  the  Nile  country  of  the 
Uganda,  and  its  immediate  neighborhood.  Colonel  Roosevelt  was  anxious 
to  get  an  elephant  in  the  Kenia  district,  so  that  Professor  Heller,  the  taxi- 
dermist, could  have  a  better  chance  in  the  cooler  climate  there  of  saving  the 
skin  in  good  condition  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

Elephant  hunting  is  no  child's  play,  for  in  shooting  the  huge  animals  it 
is  necessary  often  to  creep  up  to  within  some  twenty  feet  of  the  herd,  or  even 
nearer,  and  shoot  the  selected  bull  at  a  range  of  fifteen  to  thirty  yards,  and, 
of  course,  if  they  get  the  wind  or  hear  the  hunter,  the  chances  of  his  escape 
are  small.  There  is  something  fascinating  about  an  elephant  hunt,  for  the 
chances  are  about  even  for  the  hunter  and  the  hunted.  Mr.  Roosevelt  fol- 
lowed this  plan  and  found  it  worked  so  well  that  towards  the  end  of  Novem- 
ber he  had  already  bagged  nine  elephants. 

The  party  were  one  day  pursuing  a  lion  into  a  jungle,  Colonel  Roosevelt 
marching  at  the  head,  closely  followed  by  Mr.  Selous,  while  Kermit  was 
bringing  up  the  rear,  when  they  suddenly  struck  upon  an  elephant  herd. 
Stamping  with  their  mighty  feet,  the  gigantic  animals  had  smashed  some 
young  tree  trunks  and  had  shorn  them  of  their  twigs  and  branches,  and  with 
their  trunks  and  tusks  had  torn  the  bark  of  larger  trees  in  long  strips  or 
slices  and  consumed  them.  A  big  bull  had  just  torn  some  long  sword-shaped 
hemp  stalks  out  of  the  ground,  and  after  chewing  them  dropped  the  fil>ers, 
gleaming  white,  where  they  lay  in  the  sun.  The  sap  of  this  plant  is  food  as 
well  as  drink  to  them.  At  one  point  some  of  the  elephants  had  gathered 
together  under  an  acacia  tree  and  were  breaking  and  devouring  all  its  lower 
branches  and  twigs. 

The  ex-President  instantly  aimed  at  the  head  of  the  herd  and  would  have 
fired  had  not  the  old  experienced  F.  C.  Selous,  the  greatest  of  the  world's 
big  game  hunters,  who  has  spent  nearly  forty  years  hunting  in  Africa,  and 
killed  hundreds  of  elephants,  warned  him  that  to  do  so  would  be  to  challenge 
the  animals  to  a  charge,  which  would  mean  sure  death  to  the  hunters.  Not 
without  difficulty  did  he  succeed  in  getting  the  ex-President  and  Kermit  to 
move  back  and  climb  a  tree  for  safety.  Hidden  among  the  branches  they 
could  see  the  elephants  in  the  dense  jungle.  Roosevelt  sent  a  whole  load  of 
bullets  into  the  largest  bull,  ran  down  from  the  tree  and  at  a  distance  of  about 
forty  feet  finished  the  gigantic  beast  with  a  bullet  through  its  heart. 


150  HUNTING  THE  ELEPHANT. 

Before  he  could  reload  another  bull  elephant  charged  him,  at  close  range. 
To  be  charged  by  an  African  elephant  is  as  exciting  a  sensation  as  a  man 
could  wish  for.  The  fierceness  of  his  on-rush  passes  description.  He  makes 
for  you  suddenly,  unexpectedly.  The  overpowering  proportions  of  the  enraged 
beast — the  grotesque  aspect  of  his  immense  flopping  ears,  which  made  his 
huge  head  look  more  formidable  than  ever — the  incredible  pace  at  which  he 
thundered  along — all  combined  with  his  shrill  trumpeting  to  produce  an  effect 
upon  the  mind  of  the  hunters  which  they  will  never  shake  themselves  rid  of 
as  long  as  life  lasts. 

"When,"  says  a  famous  African  hunter,  "it  is  a  case  not  of  one  single 
elephant,  but  of  an  entire  herd  giving  chase  in  the  open  plain,  the  readers  will 
have  no  difficulty  in  understanding  that  even  now  I  sometimes  live  the  whole 
situation  over  again  in  my  dreams  and  that  I  have  more  than  once  awoke 
from  them  in  a  frenzy  of  terror." 

Fortunately  in  this  case  the  rest  of  the  herd  took  to  flight  through  the 
thicket.  Both  Mr.  Selous  and  Mr.  Roosevelt  got  behind  trees,  and  the  former 
fired  at  the  charging  bull  and  turned  him  from  the  Colonel  just  in  time  to 
save  his  life. 

One  of  the  naturalists  connected  with  the  Roosevelt  expedition,  Mr.  Ed- 
mund Heller,  succeeded  in  preserving  entire  and  in  good  condition  the  skin 
of  the  magnificent  bull.  It  was  a  splendid  specimen,  its  tusks  weighing  eighty 
pounds  each.  One  of  our  illustrations  shows  how  the  big  animal  is  skinned. 
On  another  page  the  reader  will  find  a  caravan  carrying  ivory  to  the  coast. 
The  ivory  trade  is  a  very  profitable  business  and  thousands  of  natives  and 
Europeans  are  employed  in  its  service.  Ivory  is  chiefly  required  to  make 
billiard  balls  and  ornaments.  It  is.  however,  getting  more  and  more  rare, 
for  during  the  last  hundred  years  several  millions  of  elephants  have  been 
ruthlessly  slaughtered,  so  that  this  animal  is  no  longer  to  be  found  anywhere 
in  its  original  numbers.  It  is  found  most  frequently  in  the  desert  places 
between  Abyssinia  and  the  Nile  and  the  Galla  country,  or  in  the  inaccessible 
parts  of  the  Congo,  on  the  Albert  Nyanza,  and  in  the  forests  of  Nigeria  and 
the  Gold  Coast.  But  in  the  vicinity  of  Victoria  Nyanza,  where  Roosevelt 
hunted,  and  where  a  single  elephant  hunter  some  years  ago  alone  slaughtered 
hundreds,  things  have  changed  greatly,  and  still  it  is  not  the  white  man  who 
does  most  of  this  work  of  destruction.  It  is  the  native  who  obtains  the 
greater  part  of  the  ivory  used  in  commerce.  Two  subjects  of  a  savage  chief 
killed,  for  instance,  a  short  time  back,  in  the  space  of  a  year  and  a  half. 


HUNTING  THE  ELEPHANT. 


151 


elephants  enough  to  provide  one  hundred  and  thirty-nine  large  tusks  for 
their  ruler.  Consequently  the  price  of  ivory  has  been  rising  gradually,  and 
is  now  ten  times  what  it  was  some  forty  years  ago,  when  a  fifty-pound  tusk 
could  be  bought  for  some  stuff  worth  about  fifteen  cents. 


From  photograph. 


SKINNING  AN   ELEPHANT. 


After  the  exciting  adventure  narrated  above,  Theodore  Roosevelt  and  his 
party  went  on  another  extended  hunt,  which  proved  very  successful.  On  their 
arrival  at  Naivasha  both  the  Colonel  and  Kermit  looked  tanned  and  felt  well. 
They  were  delighted  with  their  expedition  and  Mr.  Roosevelt  said  both  he 
and  Kermit  were  very  proud  of  having  got  their  elephants,  especially  proud 
that  each  got  one -when  they  were  unaccompanied  by  such  experienced  hunters 
as  Cunninghame  and  Tarlton.  The  station  was  crowded  with  officials  and 
settlers,  wishing  to  greet  Colonel  Roosevelt  after  his  long  absence,  and  they 
gave  him  a  warm  welcome. 


Copyright  1909,  by  Underwood  &  Underwood. 

NATIVE    hunters'  CAMP  IN  THE  JUNGLE. 

Later  the  hunting  was  continued  on  the  Guas  Ingisha  Plateau,  where 
Colonel  Roosevelt  and  his  son  Kermit  succeeded  in  killing  four  elephants 
for  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  History  at  New  York.  Mr.  Roosevelt 
decided  to  give  one  of  the  elephants  killed  earlier  to  the  museum  of  the  Univer- 
sity of  California. 

The  party  took  many  other  trophies,  including  five-horned  giraffes,  a 
leopard,  a  roan  bosch  bock,  a  singing  tapi,  a  lx>hor  and  a  kob. 

These  valuable  specimens  were  secured  in  a  sportsmanlike  way  by  stalking 
.  in  the  daytime — a  method  of  hunting  which  involves  great  danger, 

152 


HUNTING  THE  ELEPHANT.  153 

In  order  tO'  study  the  ways  and  habits  of  the  wild  animals  the  members  of 
the  expedition  often  had  to  undergo  the  hardships  of  spending  many  sleepless 
nights  in  the  thicket.  The  numerous  insects — ants,  for  instance — kept  them 
wide-awake,  and  though  they  were  not  always  successful  the  insight  into  the 
nightlife  of  many  animals  amply  repaid  them  for  their  trouble.  In  the  stillness 
of  the  night,  illumined  by  the  bright  tropical  moonlight  we  heard  the  laugh- 
ing cry  of  the  long-tailed  lemurs  or  they  saw  a  herd  of  antelopes  passing  on 
their  way  to  the  drinking  place.  Now  they  distinguished  through  an  opening 
in  the  jungle  a  huge  mysterious  apparition  cautiously  proceeding  towards  the 
river.  It  is  a  full-grown  rhinoceros.  A  few  jackals  are  howling-  in  the  distance 
and  the  tropical  birds  in  the  tree-tops  utter  their  peculiar  laugh.  Here  a  gray- 
ish animal  glides  past  the  thicket  quick  as  a  lightning  and  the  next  moment 
bull  and  lion  roll  on  the  ground  in  deadly  embrace.  Such  were  the  nocturnal 
scenes  which  mingled  with  the  weird  and  strange  voices  of  the  wilderness 
that  met  Colonel  Roosevelt  and  his  companions. 

The  following  facts  relating  to  the  elephant  will  be  of  interest : 

Everybody  knows  that  the  elephant  is  the  largest  of  living  animals,  that 
his  tusks  are  ivory  and  that  he  has  enormous  strength.  Many  other  things 
the  reader  knows  of  this  big  beast,  and  yet  this  story  is  written  for  the  pur- 
pose of  describing  scenes  and  incidents,  in  which  I  took  a  prominent  part, 
new  and  novel  to  you.  The  years  I  lived  in  India  and  along  the  upper  Nile 
have  made  me  familiar  with  the  animal  and  have  given  me  an  opportunity 
to  study  him  in  nature's  domain.  The  elephant  in  captivity  undergoes  many 
changes  in  disposition  and  act. 

The  deep  and  w-idespread  interest  in  the  elephant,  which  surpasses  that 
accorded  any  other  animal,  is  not  misplaced,  since  the  elephant  is  without 
exception  the  most  extraordinary  of  the  brute  creation.  The  name  pachy- 
derm is  frequently  used  in  describing  the  elephant,  but  it  is  no  more  applic- 
able than  would  be  a  half  dozen  others.  Pachyderm  means  thick-skinned, 
and  describes  one  quality  of  the  animal,  for  the  skin  of  the  elephant  is  thicker 
and  tougher  than  that  of  any  other  of  the  animals  with  the  exception  of  the 
rhinoceros  and  the  hippopotamus. 

Much  has  been  written  about  the  size  attained  by  the  elephant,  but  nothing 
is  positively  known,  for  no  animal  in  captivity  will  attain  the  growth  it  will 
in  its  native  state,  and  it  is  plain  that  there  may  be  larger  elephants  still  in  the 
forest  and  jungle  than  were  ever  killed  by  the  European  hunters.  The  fact 
that  tusks  larger  than  those  ever  found  by  the  white  hunters  are  often 
brought  to  the  coast  by  the  natives  of  Africa  give  evidence  of  this. 


154  THE    STORY    OF    THE    ELEPHANT, 

Jumbo,  over  eleven  feet  in  height  at  the  withers  and  weighing  over  six  and 
one-half  tons,  was  raised  in  captivity  at  London  and  was  in  this  country  for 
several  seasons.  He  was  the  chief  attraction  at  a  circus  while  on  this  side 
of  the  Atlantic.  He  was  without  doubt  the  largest  specimen  ever  in  this 
country,  but  I  have  seen  a  number  larger  and  heavier  both  in  Africa  and  in 
Ceylon  and  Bengal.  The  height  of  the  African  elephant,  which  is  considered 
larger  than  the  Asiatic,  is  probably  never  over  fifteen  feet,  and*his  weight 
is  certainly  not  more  than  eight  or  nine  tons.  His  length  of  body  is  in  some 
instances  over  thirty  feet. 

The  dimensions  of  the  tusks  vary  greatly,  and  the  maximum  length  is 
only  approximately  known.  Several  specimens  measuring  over  twenty  feet 
were  brought  me  by  natives,  who  declared  they  had  seen  much  longer  ones. 
One  of  these  tusks  weighed  between  two  hundred  and  three  hundred  pounds. 

The  tusks  of  the  elephant  furnish  exceedingly  fine  ivory,  which  is  used 
for  various  purposes,  such  as  knife-handles,  combs,  billiard-balls,  etc.  There 
is  a  great  art  in  making  a  billiard-ball.  Some  parts  of  the  tusk  are  always 
heavier  than  others,  so  that  if  the  heavy  part  should  fall  on  one  side  of  the 
ball,  it  would  not  run  true.  The  object  of  the  maker  is  either  to  get  the 
heavier  portion  in  the  center,  or  toi  make  the  ball  from  a  piece  of  ivory  of 
equal  weight.  In  either  case,  the  ball  is  made  a  little  larger  than  the  proper 
size;  it  is  then  hung  up  in  a  dry  room  for  several  months,  and  finally  turned 
down  to  the  requisite  dimensions. 

It  is  of  course  impossible  to  obtain  any  accurate  data  as  to  the  age  which 
the  elephant  may  attain  in  its  wild  state,  and  can  only,  therefore,  suggest  an 
approximation  to  what  this  may  be  from  captive  specimens.  Although  full 
grown  at  the  age  of  twenty-five,  an  elephant,  as  determined  by  the  condition 
of  its  teeth,  is  not  then  mature.  A  female  captured  in  Coorg  in  1805,  when 
about  three  years  of  age,  did  not  appear  to  be  particularly  old-looking  in 
1898,  although  she  had  then  passed  her  prime.  Other  individuals  have  been 
known  to  live  in  captivity  for  over  a  century;  and  since  it  is  obvious  that  the 
artificial  mode  of  life  which  prevails  in  this  state  cannot  be  one  tending  to 
promote  longevity,  it  is  probable  that  the  estimate  of  a  century  and  a  half  as 
the  duration  of  life  in  the  wild  state  is  not  excessive. 

In  India,  each  elephant  has  his  own  individual  master  or  keeper,  and  a 
great  attachment  often  springs  up  between  the  beast  and  his  human  friend. 
In  many  cases  when  the  keeper  falls  ill  or  is  killed,  the  elephant  must  be 
killed,  for  he  will  not  obey  any  one  else.  Some  of  the  tamed  animals  refuse 
to  take  instructions  from  any  one  but  their  master,  and  the  intelligence 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   ELEPHANT. 


155 


shown  is  almost  human.  It  is  beUevecl  that  the  elephant  has  a  small  nerve 
center  located  in  the  brain  and  that  in  this  peculiar  formation  is  the  seat  of 
his  intelligence.  He  is  the  only  animal  tO'  possess  this  unusual  mass,  which 
corresponds  to  the  human  ganglion. 

Long  periods  are  required  to  complete  the  course  of  instruction,  but 
when  once  mastered,  the  elephant  is  capable  of  doing  many  things  which  are 
of  great  use  to  man.     It  has  been  shown  that  the  animal  is  used  for  many 


FEMALE   INDIAN   ELEPHANT. 


purposes,  but  when  out  of  humor  he  will  refuse  to  work  and  often  proves 
destructive,  rather  than  beneficial.  Kipling,  who  wrote  probably  the  best 
fiction  ever  printed  regarding  the  elephant,  has  a  number  of  stories  which 
describe  certain  traits  of  the  animal.  In  his  story  of  ''Moti  Guj,  Mutineer," 
he  relates  how  the  keeper  of  an  elephant  wanted  to  take  a  vacation.  He  ar- 
ranged to  return  on  the  ninth  day,  and  when  the  time  for  departure  came  he 


156  THE   STORY    OF    THE   ELEPHANT. 

struck  the  elephant  on  the  foot  nine  times  to  indicate  the  number  of  days 
he  would  be  absent.  During  the  nine  days  the  elephant  performed  his  regu- 
lar duties  under  the  guidance  of  another  keeper,  but  when  the  master  failed 
to  return  on  the  tenth  day,  Moti  Guj  rebelled  and  refused  to  work.  Not  only 
did  he  absolutely  refuse  to  perform  his  regular  duties,  but  he  went  among 
the  other  elephants  and  induced  them  to  go  on  a  strike.  There  was  a  general 
revolt,  and  the  police  elephants,  which  are  kept  on  all  the  large  Indian  planta- 
tions for  the  purpose  of  chastising  unruly  members  of  the  band,  were  sent  out 
to  subdue  the  leader  of  the  rebels.  But  Moti  Guj  showed  fight  and  he  finally 
overpowered  and  drove  back  the  police.  The  herd  was  on  a  rampage  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day,  but  the  following  morning  the  keeper  returned  and  Moti 
Guj  was  set  to  doing  hard  tasks.    He  accepted  the  situation  cheerfully. 

During  one  of  the  wars  in  India  I  had  an  opportunity  of  observing  one  of 
the  elephants  that  had  received  a  flesh  wound  from  a  cannon-ball.  After  hav- 
ing been  two  or  three  times  conducted  to  the  hospital,  he  always  used  to  go 
alone  to  have  his  wound  dressed. 

The  domesticated  elephant  is  largely  employed  in  India  for  the  transport  of 
heavy  camp-equipage,  for  dragging  timber  to  the  rivers,  and  in  lieu  of  horses 
for  artillery;  and  is  of  "especial  value  in  traversing  districts  where  roads  are 
either  wanting,  or  are  so  bad  as  to  be  impassable  for  other  animals  when 
laden.  Elephants  may  be  employed  either  as  beasts  of  burden  or  of  draught. 
In  dragging  timber  of  moderate  dimensions,  a  short  rope  is  attached  to  one 
end  of  each  log,  which  the  elephant  seizes  between  his  teeth,  and  thus  raising 
his  burden  from  the  ground,  half  carries  and  half  drags  it  away.  Tuskers  are 
both  stronger  and  more  useful  than  females,  since  their  tusks  often  aid  them 
in  the  performance  of  their  duties. 

The  majority  of  the  animals  employed  in  tasks  like  the  above,  belong  to 
what  the  natives  term  the  inferior  castes;  tuskers  of  the  finest  and  most  ap- 
proved form  being  far  too  expensive  to  be  put  to  such  uses.  The  majority 
of  such  animals  are,  indeed,  purchased  by  the  native  princes,  by  whom  they 
are  used  in  state  pageants,  and  the  taller  the  animal,  the  greater  his  value. 

In  India  these  animals  were  formerly  employed  in  the  launching  of  ships. 
An  elephant  was  directed  to  force  a  very  large  vessel  into  the  water;  but  the 
work  proved  superior  to  his  strength.  His  master,  in  a  sarcastic  tone,  bade 
the  keeper  take  away  this  lazy  beast,  and  bring  another.  The  poor  animal 
instantly  repeated  his  efforts,  fractured  his  skull,  and  died  on  the  spot. 

A  story  is  related  of  an  elephant  having  formed  such  an  attachment  for 
a  very  young  child,  that  he  was  never  happy  but  when  the  child  was  near 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    ELEPHANT. 


157 


him.  The  nurse  frequently  took  it  in  its  cradle,  and  placed  it  between  his 
feet.  This  he  at  length  became  so  much  accustomed  to,  that  he  would  never 
eat  his  food  except  it  was  present.  When  the  child  slept,  he  would  drive 
off  the  flies  with  his  proboscis;  and  when  it  cried,  would  move  the  cradle 
backward  and  forward,  and  thus  rock  it  again  to  sleep. 

A  sentinel  belonging  to  the  present  menagerie  at  Paris,  was  always  very 
careful  in  requesting  the  spectators  not  to  give  the  elephants  anything  to 
eat.     This  conduct  particularly  displeased  the  female,  who  beheld  him  with 


INDIAN    ELEPHANT,    TRUMPETING. 

(Showing   methods   of   hunting  it.) 

a  very  unfavorable  eye,  and  several  times  endeavored  to  correct  his  inter- 
ference, by  sprinkling  his  head  with  water  from  her  trunk.  One  day,  when 
several  persons  were  collected  tO'  view  these  animals,  a  bystander  offered  the 
female  a  bit  of  bread. 

The  sentinel  perceived  it;  but  the  moment  he  opened  his  mouth  to  give 
his  usual  admonition,  she,  placing  herself  immediately  before  him,  discharged 
in  his  face  a  considerable  stream  of  water.    A  general  laugh  ensued,  but  the 


158  THE   STORY    OF   THE   ELEPHANT. 

sentinel,  having  calmly  wiped  his  face,  stood  a  little  to  one  side,  and  con- 
tinued as  vigilant  as  before.  Soon  afterwards,  he  fotmd  himself  under  the 
necessity  of  repeating  his  admonition  to  the  spectators;  but  no  sooner  was 
this  uttered  than  the  female  laid  hold  of  his  musket,  twirled  it  round  with  her 
trunk,  trod  it  under  her  feet,  and  did  not  restore  it  till  she  had  twisted  it 
nearly  into  the  form  of  a  screw. 

At  Macassar,  an  elephant  driver  had  a  cocoanut  given  him,  which,  out 
of  wantonness,  he  struck  twice  against  his  elephant's  forehead,  to  break. 
The  day  following  the  animal  saw  some  cocoanuts  exposed  in  the  street  for 
sale;  and  taking  one  of  them  up  with  his  trtmk,  beat  it  about  the  driver's 
head,  and  killed  him  on  the  spot. 

A  tame  elephant,  kept  by  an  officer  in  India,  was  suffered  to  go  at  large. 
The  animal  used  to  walk  about  the  streets  in  as  quiet  and  familiar  a  manner 
as  any  of  the  inhabitants;  and  delighted  much  in  visiting  the  shops,  particu- 
larly those  which  sold  herbs  and  fruit,  where  he  was  well  received,  except  by 
a  couple  of  brutal  cobblers,  who,  without  any  cause,  took  offense  at  the  gen- 
erous creature,  and  once  or  twice  attempted  to  wound  his  proboscis  with 
their  awls.  The  noble  animal,  who  knew  it  was  beneath  him  to  crush  them, 
did  not  disdain  to  chastise  them  by  other  means.  He  filled  his  large  trunk 
with  a  considerable  quantity  of  water,  not  of  the  cleanest  quality,  and  ad- 
vancing to  them,  as  usual,  covered  them  at  once  with  a  dirty  flood.  The  fools 
were  laughed  at,  and  the  punishment  applauded. 

I  have  had  experience  with  both  the  African  and  the  Indian  elephant 
and  know  the  former  to  be  the  more  dangerous  animal  of  the  two,  and  the 
one  that  is  more  ready  to  charge.  The  females,  especially  those  that  are 
barren  and  have  small  tusks,  are  far  more  dangerous  than  males,  frequently 
charging  without  the  least  provocation,  even  when  unwounded;  and  hunters 
will  sometimes  take  the  trouble  to  kill  one  of  these  worthless  females  before 
attacking  the  tuskers.  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  greater  number  of  acci- 
dents that  have  occurred  in  African  elephant-shooting  may  be  set  down  to 
females. 

The  intrepid  Arabs  of  the  Soudan  slay  the  elephant  in  the  same  manner 
as  the  rhinoceros,  by  hamstringing  it  with  a  long  two-edged  sword.  Three 
or  four  mounted  hunters,  singling  out  a  tusker  and  separating  it  from  its 
fellows,  follow  it  until,  tired  out,  the  animal  faces  its  pursuers,  and  prepares 
to  charge.  Directly  it  does  so,  the  hunter  who  is  the  object  of  the  charge 
puts  his  horse  to  a  gallop,  and  is  closely  followed  by  the  elephant.  There- 
upon, two  of  his  companions  follow  at  their  best  pace  behind ;  and  as  soon  as 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   ELEPHANT. 


159 


they  come  up  with  the  fleeing  animal,  one  seizes  the  reins  of  the  horse  of 
.his  fellow,  who  immediately  leaps  to  the  ground,  and  with  one  blow  of  his 
huge  sword  divides  the  tendon  of  the  elephant's  leg  a  short  distance  above 
the  heel.  The  ponderous  beast  is  at  once  brought  to  a  standstill,  and  is  at 
the  mercy  of  its  aggressors. 

A  somewhat  similar  method  was  formerly  practiced  in  Mashonaland,  only 


AFRICAN    ELEPHANT. 


there  the  hunters  went  on  foot,  and  their  weapon  was  a  broad-bladed  axe; 
with  this  they  crept  up  behind  a  sleeping  elephant,  and  severed  the  back  ten- 
don of  the  leg  in  the  same  manner  as  above. 

Other  tribes  in  the  same  district  employ  a  heavily-weighted  spear,  which 
is  plunged  into  the  animal's  back  by  a  hunter  seated  on  a  bough  overhanging 
one  of  the  most  frequented  pathways.    On  receiving  the  weapon,  the  elephant 


160  THE    STORY    OF    THE    ELEPHANT. 

of  course  immediately  rushes  off,  and  the  weight  of  the  spear,  aided  by  blows 
from  boughs,  soon  so  enlarges  the  wound,  that  the  animal  quickly  sinks  to 
the  ground,  exhausted  from  loss  of  blood.  In  other  districts,  as  in  parts  of 
Equatoria,  the  weighted  spear  is  suspended  from  a  horizontal  bar  fixed  be- 
tween two  tiers  of  poles.  The  spear  or  knife  is  kept  in  position  by  a  cord, 
which  is  held  down  by  a  stake  that  is  directed  horizontally  toward  the  middle 
of  the  trap;  and  by  another  which,  at  a  convenient  angle,  is  interposed  be- 
tween this  and  the  end.  The  animal,  striking  with  his  feet,  loosens  the  con- 
trivance, which  then  falls  violently ;  the  knife  wounds  the  animal  with  singular 
exactness  in  the  spot  where  the  brain  unites  with  the  nape  of  the  neck.  The 
blow  falls  like  a  thunder-clap;  and  if  the  trap  is  well  made,  the  elephant  strug- 
gles and  dies. 

The  European  sportsman  kills  the  African  elephant  either  by  lying  in 
wait  at  one  of  its  drinking-places,  or  by  attacking  it  in  the  open,  either  on 
foot  or  on  horseback.  At  the  present  day,  however,  most  or  all  of  the  ele- 
phants remaining  in  South-Eastern  Africa  are  restricted  to  districts  infested 
by  the  tsetsi  fly,  where  horses  cannot  exist,  and  the  pursuit  must  conse- 
quently be  undertaken  on  foot.  Owing  to  the  conformation  of  its  skull,  the 
front-shot,  so  frequently  emloyed  in  the  case  of  the  Indian  elephant,  is  inef- 
fectual with  the  African  species,  and  there  are  but  two  spots  where  a  bullet 
may  be  expected  to  prove  fatal;  one  of  these  being  in  the  head  behind  the 
eye,  and  the  other  in  the  shoulder  immediately  behind  the  flap  of  the  ear. 

The  old  bulls  are  frequently  solitary  for  a  time,  but  generally  each  belongs 
to  a  particular  herd,  which  it  visits  occasionally.  Solitary  male  elephants 
are  known  as  "rogues,"  and  are  generally  characterized  by  their  fierce  and 
quarrelsome  disposition.  Elephants  that  are  permanently  solitary  are,  how- 
ever, comparatively  rare,  the  majority  of  the  so-called  rogues  really  belong- 
ing to  herds.  These  leave  their  companions,  as  a  rule,  merely  for  a  time,  in 
order  to  visit  the  cultivated  lands,  where  the  less  venturesome  females  hesi- 
tate to  follow,  and  where  they  inflict  enormous  damage  on  the  growing 
crops. 

In  the  kingdom  of  Siam  there  are  occasionally  to  be  found  white  ele- 
phants, but  these  are  very  scarce,  and  are  regarded  with  much  veneration. 
This  is  owing  to  the  belief  of  the  Siamese  in  the  doctrine  that  the  souls  of 
men,  after  their  death,  pass  into  the  body  of  some  white  animal.  They 
imagine  that  the  body  of  so  rare  an  animal  as  a  white  elephant  must  of  neces- 
sity be  inhabited  by  the  spirit  of  some  king  or  other  mighty  personage.  They 
say,  that  for  all  his  majesty  the  King  of  Siam  knows  to  the  contrary,  the 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    ELEPHANT. 


161 


soul  of  his  father,  or  some  other  ancestor,  may  inhabit  the  body  of  one  of 
the  white  elephants;  and,  in  consequence  of  this  theory,  every  white  elephant, 
in  Siam,  has  the  title  of  king-,  is  lodged  and  fed  m  a  very  sumptuous  manner, 
and  is  never  ridden,  even  by  the  king  himself,  as  the  elephant  is  as  great  a 
king  as  he  is. 

A  curious  instance  is  recorded  of  the  elephant's  liking  for  sweetmeats,  and 


^^' 


BABY  ELEPHANT  OF  THE  SOUDAN. 


of  a  method  adopted  in  his  savage  state  to  gratify  this  propensity.  It  chanced 
that  a  Coolie,  laden  with  jaggery,  which  is  a  coarse  preparation  of  sugar,  was 
surprised  in  a  narrow  pass  in  India  by  a  wild  elephant.  The  poor  fellow,  in- 
tent upon  saving  his  life,  threw  down  the  burden,  which  the  elephant  de- 
voured, and,  being  well  pleased  with  the  repast,  determined  not  to  allow  uny 


162 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    ELEPHANT. 


person  to  pass  either  way,  who  did  not  provide  him  with  a  similar  banquet. 
The  pass  formed  one  of  the  principal  thoroughfares  to  the  capital,  and  the 
elephant,  taking  up  a  formidable  position  at  the  entrance,  obliged  every  pas- 
senger to  pay  tribute.  It  soon  became  generally  known  that  a  donation  of 
jaggery  would  insure  a  safe  conduct  through  the  guarded  portal,  and  no  one 
presumed  to  attempt  the  passage  without  the  expected  offering. 

No  animal  is  more  ferociously  destructive  than  an  infuriated  elephant; 


SCENES   IN    AN   ELEPHANt'S  LIFE. 


even  in  the  domesticated  state,  they  are  known  to  be  gratified  with  carnage, 
and  hence  they  have  been  frequently  employed  as  executioners  by  the  despots 
of  the  East.  One  of  the  Epirote  elephants,  furious  from  pain,  shook  off  his 
driver,  and  rushing  back  upon  the  phalanx  which  Pyrrhus  had  formed  with 
closer  ranks  than  usual,  crushed  and  destroyed  a  great  number  of  soldiers  be- 
fore any  remedy  could  be  found  for  such  a  disaster. 

On  a  previous  occasion  the  delight  of  the  elephant  in  carnage  had  been 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   ELEPHANT. 


163 


fearfully  demonstrated.  Before  the  body  of  Alexandria  was  laid  in  the  tomb, 
three  hundred  of  his  bravest  companions  were  crushed  to  death  by  elephants, 
i.i  the  presence  of  the  entire  army,  by  command  of  the  regent  Perdiccas. 

An  elephant,  with  a  good  driver,  gives,  perhaps,  the  best  instance  of  dis- 
ciplined courage  to  be  seen  in  the  animal  world.  Elephants  will  submit,  day 
after  day,  to  have  painful  wounds  dressed  in  obedience  to  their  keepers,  and 
meet  danger  in  obedience  to  their  orders,  though  their  intelligence  is  suf- 


ONE   OF   MR.    SEYMOUR  S  HUNTING  ELEPHANTS. 


ficient  to  understand  the  peril,  and  far  too  great  for  man  to  trick  them  into 
a  belief  that  there  is  no  risk.  No  animal  will  face  danger  more  readily  at 
man's  bidding.  As  an  example,  it  is  told  that  a  small  female  elephant  was 
charged  by  a  buffalo,  in  high  grass,  and  her  rider  in  the  hurry  of  the  mo- 
ment, and  perhaps  owing  to  the  sudden  stoppage  of  the  elephant,  fired  an 
explosive  shell  from  his  rifle,  not  into  the  buffalo,  but  into  the  elephant's 
shoulder.     The  wound  was  so  severe,  that  it  had  not  healed  a  year  later. 


164  THE    STORY    OF    THE    ELEPHANT. 

Yet  the  elephant  stood  firm,  although  it  was  gored  by  the  buffalo,  which  was 
then  killed  by  another  gun. 

In  case  of  wounds  or  injuries  the  elephant  has  an  immense  advantage  over 
all  other  animals,  in  the  use  of  its  trunk  for  dressing  wounds.  It  is  at  once 
a  syringe,  a  powdering-pufif  and  a  hand.  Water,  mud,  and  dust  are  the 
main  "applications"  used,  though  it  sometimes  covers  a  sun-scorched  back 
with  grass  or  leaves.  Wounded  elephants  have  marvelous  power  of  recovery 
when  in  their  wild  state,  although  they  have  no  gifts  of  surgical  knowledge, 
their  simple  .system  being  confined  to  plastering  their  wounds  with  mud,  or 
blowing  dust  upon  the  surface.  Dust  and  mud  comprise  the  entire  stock  of 
medicines  of  the  elephant,  and  this  is  applied  upon  the  most  trivial,  as  well 
as  upon  the  most  serious  occasions.  I  have  seen  them  when  in  a  tank  plaster 
up  a  bullet  wound  with  mud  taken  from  the  bottom. 

The  African  elephant  is  more  oi  a  tree- feeder  than  the  Indian,  and  the 
destruction  committed  by  a  large  herd  of  such  animals  when  feeding  in  a 
mimosa-forest  is  extraordinary;  they  deliberately  march  forward,  and  uproot 
or  break  down  every  tree  that  excites  their  appetite.  The  mimosas  are  gen- 
erally from  sixteen  to  twenty  feet  high,  and,  having  no  tap'-root,  they  are 
easily  overturned  by  the  tusks  of  the  elephants,  which  are  driven  like  cro'wbars 
beneath  the  roots,  and  used  as  levers,  in  which  rough  labor  they  are  frequently 
broken.  Upon  the  overthrow  oi  a  tree,  the  elephants  eat  the  roots  and  leaves, 
and  strip  the  bark  from  the  branches  by  grasping  them  with  their  rough  trunks. 
Two  elephants  may  sometimes  unite  their  strength  in  order  tO'  overthrow  a 
tree  of  more  than  ordinary  size.  In  South-Eastern  Africa  I  have  seen  large 
areas  of  sandy  soil  ploughed  up  by  the  tusks  of  these  animals  in  their  search 
for  roots. 

In  digging  the  elephant  always  uses  one  particular  tusk,  which,  in  conse- 
quence, is  much  more  worn  than  the  other.  It  is  nearly  always  the  right 
tusk  which  is  selected  for  this  duty;  and  the  one  so"  used  is  termed  by  the 
Sudanis  the  hadam,  or  servant. 

In  Southern  Africa,  at  least,  elephants  drink  almost  every  night,  but  only 
rarely  during  the  day.  In  that  part  of  the  continent  they  seek  the  deepest 
shades  of  the  forest  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  and  generally  appear  tO)  sleep 
in  a  standing  posture. 


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THE  SHIP  OF  THE  DESERT 

The  Camel — The  Carrier  of  Commerce  of  Northern  Africa — Lives  for  Many  Days  Without 
Food  and  Drink — How  the  Camel  Is  Loaded — A  Caravan  in  the  Desert. 


While  the  camel  is  not  a  wild  animal,  still  it  is  so  characteristic  tO'  African 
conditions  that  we  cannot  but  give  it  a  place  in  our  menagerie.  What  the 
Roman  roads  were  to  Europe  before  the  age  of  steam  and  electricity,  the  camel 
has  been,  and  in  some  localities  still  is,  to  Africa  from  time  immemorial.  The 
immense  sea  of  sand  which  covers  a  great  part  of  Northern  Africa  would  be 
practically  inaccessible  without  the  "Ship  of  the  Desert" — the  patient,  enduring 
and  indefatigable  camel. 

It  is  doubtful  whether  the  camel  ever  was  a  wild  animal  in  Africa.  Most 
naturalists  are  agreed  that  it  was  introduced  into  the  dark  Continent  by  Ara- 
bian traders  from  Asia.  At  least  it  has  never  been  found  on  African  soil  and 
in  fact  nowhere  else  either  in  its  wild  state.  Like  our  domestic  animals  it  has 
been  man's  faithful  servant  and  companion  already  in  prehistoric  times  and 
long  before  any  written  records  of  its  history  could  have  been  produced.  It 
is  found  on  the  oldest  monuments  in  Egypt  and  must  have  been  well  at  home 
there  long  before  the  time  of  Moses. 

But  the  time  is  rapidly  approaching  when  modern  devices  and  means  of 
communication  shall  have  taken  the  place  the  camel  now  fills.  The  extension 
of  commerce  and  trade  along  the  borders  of  Sahara  require  improved  mail 
service.  At  present  it  takes  a  caravan  of  camels  three  months  to  cover  the 
thousand  miles  of  desert  and  oases  separating  the  Niger  from  Colomb-Bechor. 
This  is  too  slow  for  our  twentieth  century  business  transactions.  It  is  estimated 
that  the  same  route  could  be  made  in  twenty-four  hours  by  aeroplane :  and 
the  French  government  is  now  about  to  establish  an  aerial  mail  service  through 
the  desert.  The  aeroplane  trip  will  be  made  in  three  stretches  of  eight  hours 
each,  three  stations  being  provided  for  taking  fuel ;  and  the  whole  journey 
need  not  take  longer  than  three  days  at  the  most. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  service  the  "Ship  of  the  Desert"  is  doing,  com- 
merce and  trade  in  and  around  Sahara,  still  this  vast  ocean  of  sand  is  the 
greatest  barrier  to  travel  and  transportation.  Civilization,  therefore,  will 
make  rapid  headway  in  North  and  Central  xA.frica  once  the  aeroplane  is  placed 

166 


THE  SHIP  OF  THE  DESERT.  167 

in  operation.  Aside  from  the  incalculable  benefit  that  the  white  man's  prestige 
and  rule  will  derive  from  its  introduction  into  the  Dark  Continent,  the  aero- 
plane can  greatly  advance  the  exploration  of  the  Sahara  and  further  its 
reclamation. 

The  numerous  French  expeditions  into  the  interior  of  the  desert  during 
the  last  decade,  which  have  brought  tO'  light  sO'  many  surprising  and  promising 
features,  would  have  been  impossible  without  the  camel.  The  old  conception 
of  the  Sahara  was  completely  modified  through  the  discovery,  in  its  very 
center,  of  the  fertile  plateau  of  Ahaggar,  supporting  an  extensive  grazing 
industry  among  the  Tuareg  tribes.  Another  great  caravan  expedition  by 
camels  along  the  southern  edge  of  the  desert  revealed  the  astounding  fact 
that  this  region  at  one  time  had  been  an  agricultural  belt,  while  in  the  north 
the  tests  as  to  ground  waters  have  shown  that  new  oases  may  be  formed  in 
numerous  places  by  artificial  irrigation.  Petroleum  was  also  found  conspicu- 
ously among  the  universal  products.  All  these  discoveries  and  explorations 
have  been  made  possible  through  the  camel,  the  only  animal  capable  of  travers- 
ing these  desolate  and  arid  regions. 

The  Arabs  who  inhabit  desert  regions  would  be  helpless  without  the 
camel,  which  animal  is  to  them  as  essential  as  the  railroad  is  to  the  American 
citizen.  Northern  Africa  and  Central  Asia  embrace  regions  thousands  of 
miles  in  extent,  in  which  the  camel  is  almost  without  exception  the  only 
large  animal  that  can  thrive  on  the  scant  supply  of  vegetation  and  water  af- 
forded. Hot,  burning  sand  under  the  torrid  sun  offers  no  impediment  to 
the  sure-footed  "ship  of  the  desert,"  as  the  camel  is  called. 

The  camels  of  the  Old  World,  and  the  llamas  of  the  New,  form  a  group  of 
ruminating  animals  distinguished  widely  from  the  true  ruminants,  and  which 
probably  have  had  a  totally  distinct  origin  from  more  primitive  even-toed 
members  of  this  group. 

The  camels  of  the  Old  World,  of  which  there  are  two  distinct  species,  are 
characterized  by  their  great  bodily  size  and  bulk,  and  the  presence  of  one  or 
two  large  fatty  humps  on  the  back.  The  feet  are  broad,  with  the  toes  very 
imperfectly  separated;  and  the  tail  is  comparatively  long,  reaching  nearly 
to  the  hocks,  and  furnished  near  the  end  with  long  hair  forming  a  terminal 
tuft.  Callous  pads,  on  which  the  animal  rests  when  lying  down,  and  which 
are  present  at  birth,  are  found  on  the  chest,  the  elbows,  the  wrists  (commonly 
called  the  knees),  and  the  knees.  The  whole  form  of  these  animals  is  far  from 
beautiful,  while  the  head  is  ugly  in  the  extreme;  and  this  want  of  bodily 
beauty  is  accompanied  by  a  viciousness  of  temper  and  general  stupidity  of 


168  THE   STORY   OF   THE    CAMEL. 

disposition  which  can  scarcely  be  paralleled  elsewhere  among  domesticated 
animals. 

The  best-known  species  is  the  true  or  Arabian  camel,  which  is  found  both 
in  Africa  and  Asia,  and  is  characterized  by  its  single  hump.  It  is  a  long- 
limbed  animal,  with  a  comparatively  short  coat  of  hair,  and  soft  feet,  adapted 
for  walking  on  yielding  sandy  soil,  and  standing  from  about  six  feet  eight 
inches  to  seven  feet  in  height.  The  head  is  comparatively  short,  with  a  long 
and  sloping  muzzle,  and  convex  forehead ;  the  eyes  are  large,  with  a  soft  expres- 
sion ;  and  the  small  rounded  ears  are  placed  far  back  on  the  sides  of  the  head. 
The  contour  of  the  back  rises  from  the  setting  on  of  the  neck  to  the  loins,  and 
then  falls  rapidly  away  to  the  tail.  The  hump,  when  the  animal  is  in  good 
condition,  stands  upright,  but  it  alters  considerably  in  shape  according  to 
age.  The  richer  the  food  of  the  camel,  the  larger  is  its  hump;  while,  when 
the  food  is  poor  and  dry,  the  hump  decreases  in  size;  and  accordingly  in 
the  rainy  season  this  appendage  attains  its  maximum  development,  while  in 
the  dry  months  it  proportionately  shrinks.  In  high-conditioned  animals,  the 
hump  should  form  a  regular  pyramid,  and  occupy  at  least  a  quarter  of  the 
whole  length,  but  when  the  animals  are  half-starved  it  almost  disappears. 
The  color  of  the  hair  is  very  variable,  although  a  light  sandy  is  the  most 
common  hue;  there  are,  however,  white,  gray,  brown,  and  even  totally  black 
camels;  but  those  of  the  last-named  color  are  held  by  the  Arabs  to  be  worth- 
less. 

The  food  of  the  camel  in  its  natural  state  probably  consisted  entirely  of 
branches  and  leaves  of  trees,  and  although  grain  is  now  largely  given,  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  green-food  is  absolutely  essential  to  the  animal's  health.  No 
matter  how  thorny  the  boughs  may  be,  they  are  quite  acceptable  tO'  the 
camel;  and  it  is  perfectly  marvellous  how  the  animals  manage  to  eat  such 
food  without  injury  to  their  mouths.  On  such  a  diet,  or  even  on  dates, 
camels  will  do  well ;  but  when  compelled  to  work  for  days  with  little  or  no 
food,  they  soon  break  down,  as  was  disastrously  shown  in  the  expedition  to 
Khartum. 

The  dromedary  camel,  called  by  the  Arabs  the  "ship  of  the  desert,"  be- 
cause it  serves  to  transport  over  an  ocean  of  sand  the  commodities  which  the 
nomadic  tribes  are  forced  to  seek  in  distant  countries,  possesses  all  the  requi- 
sites for  performing  long  journeys.  Robust,  docile  and  patient,  it  pursues  its 
course  with  a  steady  gait,  browsing  a  little  on  its  way,  and  not  needing  water 
for  three  or  four  days.  The  elevated  position  of  its  head  and  its  long  neck 
prevent  its  being  suffocated  by  the  sand  of  the  desert;  its  eyes,  defended  by 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    CAMEL. 


169 


thick  eyelids,  are  half  closed  to  avoid  the  glare  of  the  sun;  its  fleshy  feet  are 
remarkably  broad,  so  that  they  produce  only  a  slight  impression  upon  the 
yielding  surface  of  the  desert,  over  which  other  animals  find  great  difficulty 


in  walking. 


Its  pace,  suited  to  that  of  man,  renders  it  admirably  adapted  to  the 
movement  of  caravans,  in  which  there  is  always  a  crowd  of  persons  on  foot. 
Considered  as  a  beast  of  burden,  the  dromedary  camel  is  of  unquestionable 


BACTRIAN    CAMEL    OF    CENTRAL   ASIA. 


value  in  countries  where  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  the  scarcity  of  food  and 
water  preclude  the  possibility,  not  only  of  any  other  domestic  animals  bearing 
burdens,  but  even  of  their  traveling  with  speed  and  safety  for  great  distances. 
If  the  camel  may  be  compared  tO'  a  merchant  vessel,  the  dromedary  mer- 
its the  title  of  a  ship  of  war,  since  it  is  suited  to  the  journeys  and  combats 
which  lead  the  Arabs  to  traverse  great  distances  over  an  ocean  of  sand. 


170-  THE   STORY   OF   THE   CAMEL. 

Considered  as  a  direct  auxiliary  of  man  in  war,  the  dromedary  may  in 
many  cases  advantageously  replace  the  horse.  That  the  ancients  employed  it 
in  war  is  a  fact  attested  alike  by  monuments  and  writers. 

Owing  to  its  many  services,  the  pagan  Arabs  held  the  dromedary  camel 
in  such  veneration  that  they  consecrated  to  the  gods  three  females,  which 
were  exempted  from  labor,  and  the  cream  of  whose  milk  was  used  for  liba- 
tions. 

The  pack-saddle  of  the  camel  consists  of  a  cushion  of  cloth  filled  with 
fibres  of  the  date-tree.  The  ends  of  this  cushion  are  doubled  together  and 
form-  the  inner  part  of  the  pack-saddle.  Above  this  are  placed  two  props  or 
wooden  angles,  fastened  together  by  two  sticks  of  equal  size  made  fast  by 
means  of  small  cords.  The  hump  of  the  camel  conies  between  the  two 
branches  of  the  pack-saddle.  Two  large  bags  usually  constitute  the  load  of 
a  camel.  They  are  suspended  to  the  crosspieces  which  fasten  the  reins.  The 
camel  carries  only  a  simple  bridle  attached  tO'  a  headstall  ornamented  with 
tassels,  little  shells  or  glass  ornaments,  and  surmounted  by  a  bouquet  of  cock 
or  ostrich  feathers.  The  leader  of  the  file  carries,  beside,  around  his  neck,  a 
little  bell,  the  monotonous  sound  of  which  encourages  the  band  and  distin- 
guishes it  from  other  parties. 

The  camel  is  made  to  kneel  during  the  process  of  loading  or  unloading. 
In  order  to  force  him  into  this  position  they  bear  upon  his  halter,  crying 
"Klia !  kha  !'*  The  animal  exhibits  more  or  less  docility,  though  he  never 
obeys  without  giving  vent  to  groans  either  pitiful  or  enraged,  by  which,  as 
also  by  certain  movements  of  the  head,  he  shows  that  he  suffers,  that  he  is 
sufficiently  loaded,  or  that  he  dreads  the  fatigue  of  the  journey.  When  they 
are  traveling  in  caravans  these  cries,  repeated  every  morning  by  each  camel, 
indicate  the  moment  of  departure.  The  animal  is  retained  in  the  position 
requisite  for  loading  by  doubling  one  of  the  front  legs  together  and  tying 
it  at  the  knee,  as  it  could  still  rise  on  three  legs;  refractory  animals  are  fas- 
tened thus  by  two  legs.  The  camel  makes  four  sudden  jerks  in  sitting,'  which 
he  does  by  elevating  his  hind-quarters  first,  thus  putting  his  rider  or  burden 
in  an  angle  of  forty  degrees.  Great  caution,  then,  is  requisite  to  prevent  a 
dangerous  fall.  Only  a  quarter  of  an  hour  is  required  for  loading,  when  the 
camel  rises  slowly  and  commences  his  journey.  The  driver,  walking  behind 
or  at  his  side,  urges  him  forward  by  crying,  *'Da!  da!"  When  it  becomes 
requisite  to  turn  the  animal  to  the  right  or  left,  it  is  done  by  pulling  his  tail 
in  the  opposite  direction,  and  he  obeys  the  movements  as  a  vessel  does  the 
action  of  the  rudder. 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    CAMEL. 


171 


When  a  caravan  is  very  numerous,  people  of  the  same  country  or  tribe 
unite  and  form  distinct  groups,  who  journey  separately  at  trifling  distances 
from  each  other.  The  column  is  allowed  to  spread  in  proportion  to  the  safety 
of  the  route,  but  is  kept  close  and  compact  where  the  converse  is  the  case. 


ARABIAN    CAMELS. 


In  most  instances  camels  follow  their  guide  or  leader  of  the  file,  attached  to 
one  another  by  means  of  a  rope  fastened  behind  the  pack-saddle  of  the  one, 
to  the  headstall  of  the  other. 

A  caravan  en  route,  or  rather  a  tribe  journeying,  presents  a  most  pic- 
turesque appearance.    The  camels  carry  the  tents,  cooking  utensils,  and  pro- 


172  THE   STORY   OF   THE   CAMEL. 

visions.  Others  bear  canopies  of  linen  or  brilliant  colored  stuffs,  on  light 
frameworks  made  of  wood  or  palm  branches.  Under  these  dais  repose  the 
women,  children,  invalids,  and  oftentimes  the  young  camels  which  are  unable 
to  endure  the  fatigue  of  the  journey.  The  men  ride  barebacked  upon  the 
rear  ranks  of  the  non-laden  camels,  and  many  enjoy  tranquil  slumber,  undis- 
turbed by  fear  of  falling  from  their  perilous  position.  The  chiefs,  on  horse- 
back, follow  or  escort  the  caravan,  and  men,  on  foot  or  mounted  on  asses, 
are  scattered  here  and  there  the  whole  length  of  the  file,  according  as  occu- 
pation or  inclination  leads  them. 

During  winter  the  caravan  pursues  its  way  from  morning  till  night  with- 
out stopping;  but  in  summer  a  few  hours,  during  the  hottest  portion  of  the 
day,  is  consecrated  to  repose.  In  any  case  the  average  number  of  hours  in 
the  day's  journey  does  not  exceed  ten. 

During  the  journey,  the  camel  looks  around  for  the  pasturage  he  likes, 
and,  by  elongating  his  neck,  browses  upon  it  without  discontinuing  his 
march.  At  the  evening  halt,  a  locality  as  rich  in  pasturage  as  can  be  found  is 
selected,  the  bags  and  all  the  luggage  of  the  caravan  are  deposited  in  order, 
and  piled  around  in  a  circle;  the  camels  separate  in  search  of  pasturage,  but 
are  kept  in  sight  by  the  drivers,  who'  fasten  their  forefeet  as  a  security  against 
their  wandering  too  far  away.  While  the  camels  are  browsing,  their  driver 
goes  to  fill  the  leathern  bottles  at  the  well  or  spring,  if  there  be  one  in  the 
locality;  if  not,  the  poor  animals'  only  resource  is  patience. 

The  camel  pays  no  heed  tO'  his  rider,  pays  no'  attention  whether  he  be 
on  his  back  or  not,  walks  straight  on  when  once  set  agoing,  merely  because 
he  is  too  stupid  to  turn  aside.  Should  some  tempting  thorn  or  green  branch 
allure  him  out  of  the  path,  he  continues  to  walk  on  in  the  new  direction, 
simply  because  he  is  too  dull  to  turn  back  into  the  right  road.  He  is  from 
first  to  last  an  undomesticated  and  savage  animal,  rendered  serviceable  by 
stupidity  alone. 

In  addition  to  its  value  as  a  beast  of  burden,  the  camel  is  also  esteemed 
by  the  natives  of  many  countries  on  account  of  its  milk  and  flesh,  while  its 
hair  is  woven  into  ropes  and  cloth,  and  in  some  parts  of  India  its  bones  are 
used  instead  of  ivory  for  inlaying  and  decorative  purposes. 

The  Bactrian  camel  of  Central  Asia  is  distinguished  from  the  Arabian 
species,  not  only  by  its  double  hump,  but  likewise  by  its  inferior  height, 
stouter  and  more  clumsy  build,  shorter  legs,  and  harder  and  shorter  feet,  as 
well  as  by  the  greater  length  and  abundance  of  the  hair.  This  animal  is,  in- 
deed, in  all  respects,  better  adapted  for  a  rocky  and  hilly  country  than  its 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    CAMEL. 


173 


southern  relative;  its  shorter  and  stouter  Hmbs  rendering  it  far  less  liable  to 
accidents  in  traversing  precipitous  ascents.  The  largest  development  of  hair 
occurs  upon  the  top  of  the  head,  the  neck  and  shoulders,  the  upper  part  of 
the  fore-limbs,  and  the  humps. 

The  Bactrian  camel  feeds  chiefly  upon  the  saline  and  bitter  plants  of  the 


A    BABY   CAMEL. 


Steppes  which  are  rejected  by  almost  all  other  animals;  and  displays  a  curious 
partiality  for  salt,  drinking  freely  at  the  brackish  water  and  salt  lakes,  which 
are  so  common  throughout  its  habitat.  Instead  of  confining  itself  to  a 
strictly  vegetable  diet,  the  Bactrian  camel  will,  when  pressed  by  hunger, 
readily  devour  almost  anything  that  it  may  come  across,  including  felt- 
blankets,  bones  and  skins  of  animals,  flesh  and  fish. 


174  THE   STORY    OF    THE    CAMEL. 

The  riding  camels  are  a  different  breed  from  those  used  to  carry  mer- 
chandise, and  a  swift  camel  is  as  highly  prized  by  an  Arab  as  a  good  horse  is 
prized  by  Americans  or  Europeans.  The  speed  of  these  riding  camels  con- 
sidered in  connection  with  their  endurance  is  something  remarkable.  Egyptian 
camels  have  been  known  to  travel  a  hundred  and  twenty  miles  a  day.  They 
can  go  a  hundred  miles  a  day  easily,  and  there  are  authentic  cases  in  Africa 
of  messages  having  been  sent  a  thousand  miles  in  ten  days  by  camel. 

The  swiftest  breed  of  the  riding  camel  is  known  as  "El  Heirie."  The 
Arabs,  in  their  poetical  way  of  speaking,  describe  the  speed  of  a  heirie  some- 
thing after  this  manner :  "When  thou  shalt  meet  a  heirie  and  say  to  the  rider 
'Salem  Aleik,'  ere  he  shall  have  answered  the  'Aleik  Salem'  he  will  be  afar 
off  and  nearly  out  of  sight,  for  his  swiftness  is  like  the  wind." 

Although  the  camel  serves  its  master  well,  it  rarely  receives  good  treatment 
in  return.  It  is  beaten  with  and  without  cause.  At  night  its  forelegs  ;ire  tied 
together  while  the  animal  is  in  a  kneeling  position,  thus  preventing  it  from 
rising  and  straying.  When  it  is  over-loaded  it  will  not  rise,  and  no  amount 
of  beating  will  make  it,  although  the  Arab  continues  to  belabor  it  with  a  club, 
which  experience  should  have  taught  him  is  perfectly  useless  under  the  cir- 
cumstances. 

While  the  camel  always  wears  a  look  of  weariness  and  despondency,  it  is 
one  of  the  most  tireless  of  animals,  and  is  fitted  by  nature  to  undergo  hard- 
ships that  would  kill  the  average  four-footed  beast. 


THE  SCAVENGER  HYENA 


Kermit  Rides  Down  a  Hyena — Habits  of  this  Carrion-eating  Beast — The  Scavengers  of  the 
Velt  and  the  Steppe. 


The  hyenas  roam  over  the  length  and  breadth  of  Africa,  south  of  the  Sa- 
hara, following  the  other  animals  as  they  change  their  habitat  according  to 
the  seasons,  and  Colonel  Roosevelt  often  heard  them  howling  around  his  camp 
at  night,  for  the  hyena  is  a  nocturnal  beast.  In  the  dark  night  its  deep  bass 
was  heard  and  then  it  would  laugh  aloud,  in  a  weird,  shrill,  shrieking  treble. 
This  laugh,  seldom  uttered,  but  making  one's  heart  shudder,  is  not  a  thing 
to  forget ;  on  feverish  nights  it  plagues  one  still  in  memory.  No  one  need 
jest  about  it  who  has  not  himself  heard  it.  He  who  has  heard  it  understands 
how  the  Arabs  take  the  hyenas  to  be  wicked  men  living  under  a  spell. 


HEADS    OF    HYENAS    FROM    PHOTOGRAPHS. 

The  hyenas  are  the  scavengers  of  the  vast  African  plains ;  as  a  rule  they  do 
away  with  the  carcasses  of  the  big  mammals,  and  also  with  the  dead  human 
bodies,  before  decay  starts.     A  hunter  once  saw  five  hyenas  running  out  of 

175 


176  THE  SCAVENGER  HYENA. 

the  body  of  a  dead  elephant  which  had  been  killed  by  a  professional  sportsman. 
It  is  interesting  to  see  them  gulping  down  large  pieces  of  flesh  and  big  bones, 
which  they  grind  with  their  strong  teeth,  thus  marvelously  quickly  disposing 
of  the  biggest  carcasses. 

The  hyenas  are  too  cowardly  to  attack  men,  but  their  unwelcome  presence 
can  ahvays  be  counted  upon  wherever  human  beings  fall  victims  tO'  famine, 
disease  or  war,  yea  they  even  dig  up  the  corpses  from  the  graves  and  devour 
them,  and  their  hideous  growl  is  often  heard  as  they  prowl  around  the  grave- 
yard at  night-time.  They  also  frequently  venture  within  the  houses  to  carry 
off  meat  and  whatever  they  can  seize — skins,  pieces  O'f  leather,  etc. — and  still 
oftener  attack  and  kill  asses,  sheep,  dogs  and  poultry.  Once  in  a  great  while 
it  also  happens  that  a  child  is  carried  off  by  a  hyena  and  crushed  between  its 
formidable  jaws,  with  one  bite  of  which  it  can  crush  the  leg-bone  of  an  ox  to 
splinters,  crunching  it  as  easily  as  if  it  were  a  stick  of  candy,  and  seem  to 
think  no  more  of  it  than  we  should  of  a  slice  of  bread  and  butter. 

Says  a  famous  naturalist  and  traveler  who  has  spent  vears  on  the  East 
African  hunting  grounds : 

In  all  mv  associations  with  hunters,  travellers  and  naturalists,  I  have 
never  yet  been  able  to  find  one  who  would  defend  the  hyena,  which  by  com- 
mon consent  is  classed  as  the  most  skulking,  cowardly,  cruel  and  treacherous 
of  beasts. 

The  hyena  is  remarkable  for  its  predatory,  ferocious,  and  withal  cowardly 
habits.  There  are  several  hyenas,  the  striped,  the  spotted,  and  the  shaggy, 
rough-coated,  but  the  habits  of  all  are  very  similar.  The  hyenas,  although 
very  repulsive  in  appearance,  are  yet  very  useful,  as  they  prowl  in  search  of 
dead  animals,  especially  of  the  larger  kinds,  and  will  devour  them  even  when 
putrid,  SO'  that  they  act  the  same  part  among  beasts  that  the  vultures  do 
among  birds,  and  are  equally  uninviting  in  aspect.  They  not  unfrequently 
dig  up  recently  interred  corpses,  and  in  Abyssinia  they  even  flock  in  numbers 
into  the  village  streets,  where  they  prey  on  slaughtered  men  who  are  thrown 
out  unburied.  One  of  these  animals  attacked  the  explorer  Bruce  in  his  tent, 
and  was  only  destroyed  after  a  severe  battle.  Their  jaws  and  teeth  are  ex- 
ceedingly powerful,  as  they  can  crush  the  thigh-bone  of  an  ox  with  appar- 
ently little  effort;  and  so  great  is  the  strain  upon  the  bones  by  the  exertions 
of  these  muscles,  that  the  vertebras  of  the  neck  become  united  together,  and 
the  animal  has  a  perpetual  stiff  neck  in  consequence. 

In  Syria  and  Palestine  the  favorite  haunts  of  the  striped  hyena  are  the 


THE  SCAVENGER  HYENA. 


177 


rock-cut  tombs  so  common  in  these  countries;  but  in  India  it  is  more  com- 
monly found  in  holes  and  caves  in  rocks.  I  have  more  than  once  turned  one 
out  of  a  sugar-cane  field  when  looking  for  jackals,  and  it  very  commonly 
lurks  among  ruins;  but  in  general  its  den  is  in  a  hole  dug  by  itself  on  the 
side  of  a  hill  or  ravine,  or  a  cave  in  a  rock.  The  call  of  the  hyena  is  a  very 
disagreeable,  unearthly  cry,  and  dogs  are  often  tempted  out  by  it  when  near, 
and  fall  a  victim  to  the  stealthy  marauder.  On  one  occasion  a  small  dog  be- 
longing to  an  officer  was  taken  off  by  a  hyena  very  early  in  the  morning. 


SPOTTED   HYENA. 


The  den  of  this  beast  was  known  to  be  not  far  ofT  in  some  sandstone  cliffs, 
and  some  sepoys  of  the  detachment  went  after  it,  entered  the  cave,  killed  the 
hyena,  and  recovered  the  dog  alive,  w^ith  but  little  damage  done  to  it.  A  hyena, 
though  it  does  not  appear  to  move  very  fast,  gets  over  rough  ground  in  a 
wonderful  manner,  and  it  takes  a  good  long  run  to  overtake  it  on  horseback, 
unless  in  most  favorable  ground.  A  stray  hyena  is  now  and  then  met  with  by 
a  party  of  sportsmen,  followed  and  speared;  but  sometimes  not  till  after  a  run 


178  THE   STORY    OF    THE   HYENA. 

of  three  or  four  miles,  if  the  ground  is  broken  by  ravines.  It  is  a  cowardly 
animal,  and  shows  but  little  fight  when  brought  to  bay.  The  young  are  very 
tamable,  and  show  great  signs  of  attachment  to  their  owner,  in  spite  of  all 
that  has  been  written  about  the  untamable  ferocity  of  the  hyena. 

The  striped  hyena's  food  is  mainly  carrion  or  carcasses  killed  by  other  ani- 
mals; and  in  inhabited  districts  the  animal  is  much  dreaded  on  account  of  its 
grave-robbing  propensities.  Portions  of  such  carcasses  as  it  finds  are  eaten  on 
the  spot,  while  other  parts  are  dragged  off  to  its  den,  the  situation  of  which 
is  generally  indicated  by  the  fragments  of  bones  around  the  entrance.  These 
hyenas  will  also  feast  on  skeletons  that  have  been  picked  down  to  the  bone  by 
jackals  and  vultures;  the  bone-cracking  power  of  the  hyena's  jaws  rendering 
such  relics  acceptable,  if  not  favorite,  food. 

The  striped  hyena — probably  on  account  of  its  "body-snatching"  propen- 
sities— is  cordially  detested  by  the  natives  of  all  the  countries  it  inhabits. 
When  a  hyena  is  killed,  the  body  is  treated  in  many  parts  of  India  with  every 
mark  of  indignity,  and  finally  burnt.  On  one  occasion  in  the  Punjab,  I  came 
across  a  party  of  natives  cruelly  ill-treating  a  nearly  full-grown  hyena,  which 
had  been  rendered  helpless  by  its  jaws  being  muzzled  and  its  feet  broken.  I 
soon  ended  the  sufferings  of  the  poor  brute  by  a  bullet. 

Although,  owing  to  their  nocturnal  habits,  hyenas  are  seldom  seen,  yet 
in  some  parts  of  India,  from  the  multitude  of  their  tracks,  they  must  be  very 
common. 

The  African  spotted  hyena  is  much  larger  and  more  powerful  than  the 
striped  species.  It  inhabits  the  greater  part  of  Africa  at  the  present  day. 
Formerly  the  geographical  range  of  this  hyena  was  far  more  extensive  than 
it  is  at  present,  as  is  proved  by  the  vast  quantities  of  its  remains  found  in  the 
caves  of  various  parts  of  Europe,  from  Gibraltar  in  the  south  to  Yorkshire  in 
the  north.  It  was  formerly  considered,  indeed,  that  the  so-called  "cave- 
hyena"  indicated  a  distinct  species  from  the  living  one;  but  zoologists  are 
now  generally  in  accord  in  regarding  the  two  as  specifically  identical,  al- 
though the  fossil  European  hyenas  were  generally  of  larger  dimensions  than 
the  existing  African  form. 

The  cowardly  and  carrion-eating  hyena  is  not  a  big  game  animal  and  our 
ex-President  did  not  care  to  spend  much  time  in  hunting  it.  But  Kermit  put  up 
one  in  a  jungle,  while  the  safari  was  camping  on  Kapiti  Plains,  and  after  an 
exciting  chase  over  the  stony  steppe  for  several  miles  finally  succeeded  in  bag- 
ging the  fleeing  beast. 


STORY  OF  THE  WILD  SHEEP. 


President  Roosevelt  simply  stated  a  fact  known  to  all  Western 
hunters  when  he  described  the  difficulties  attending  a  successful  pursuit  of 
the  Rocky  Mountain  sheep,  or  "big  horn,"  as  they  are  generally  known. 
During  Mr,  Roosevelt's  various  outing  excursions  he  took  a  keen  delight  in 
hunting  this  wary  animal,  but  frequently  he  was  compelled  to  acknowledge 
defeat.  In  the  spring  and  summer  the  full-grown  rams  form  separate  bands 
of  from  three  to  twenty,  and  are  usually  found  feeding  along  the  edges  of 
glacier-meadows,  or  resting  among  castle-like  crags  of  the  high  summits ;  and 
whether  quietly  feeding,  or  scaling  the  wild  cliffs  for  pleasure,  their  noble 
forms,  and  the  power  and  beauty  of  their  movements,  never  fail  to  strike 
the  beholder  with  lively  admiration.  Their  resting-place  seems  to  be  chosen 
with  reference  to  sunshine  and  a  wide  outlook,  and  most  of  all  to  safety 
from  the  attacks  of  wolves.  Flocks  of  these  sheep  have,  on  more  than  one 
occasion,  been  known  to  leap  down  a  precipice  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet 
in  height. 

They  frequent  the  elevated  and  craggy  ridges  with  .which  the  country 
between  the  great  mountain  range  and  the  Pacific  is  intersected;  but  they 
do  not  appear  to  have  advanced  farther  to  the  eastward  than  the  declivity 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Their  favorite  feeding-places  are  grassy  knolls,  skirted  by  craggy  rocks, 

179 


180  THE    STORY    OF    THE    WILD    SHEEP. 

to  which  they  can  retreat  when  followed  by  dogs  or  wolves.  They  are 
accustomed  to  pay  daily  visits  to  certain  caves  in  the  slaty  rocks  that  are 
encrusted  with  a  salty  growth,  of  which  they  are  fond.  The  flesh  of  this 
sheep  is  quite  delicious  when  it  is  in  season. 

Although  the  "big  horn"  was  numerous  throughout  an  immense  region 
a  few  decades  ago,  the  advance  of  the  white  man  has  served  to  diminish 
their  numbers,  and,  like  the  buffalo,  the  animal  will  soon  be  extinct  unless 
the  Government  gives  it  protection.  These  sheep  have  been  seen  on  the 
summits  of  the  highest  peaks  in  the  United  States,  and  their  agility  in 
crossing  crags  and  glaciers  is  marvelous. 

I  shot  a  ram  in  Wyoming  several  years  ago  which  stood  four  feet  in 
lieight  at  the  withers,  weighed  over  four  hundred  pounds,  and  whose  horns, 
measured  along  the  curve,  were  forty-two'  inches  in  length.  The  ewes  stand 
about  three  feet  in  height. 

The  magnificent  wild  sheep  of  Mongolia  is  known  as  the  argali,  and  is 
as  large  as  a  full  grown  donkey.  A  closely  allied  species  is  found  in  Thibet. 
Both  of  these  have  many  points  of  similarity  with  the  '*big  horn." 

The  Pamir  sheep  takes  its  name  from  inhabiting  the  elevated  district 
in  Central  Asia  known  as  the  Pamirs,  or  "Roof  of  the  World."  It  is  also 
found  on  the  table-lands  to  the  westward  and  northward  of  Eastern 
Turkestan. 

The  Pamir  sheep,  although  furnished  with  longer  horns,  does  not  appear 
to  attain  quite  such  large  dimensions  as  the  Thibetan  argali,  from  which  it 
is  mainly  distinguished  by  the  form  of  the  horns,  and  also  by  color.  In  the 
male  the  horns,  when  viewed  from  the  side,  are  seen  to  form  a  spiral  of 
about  a  circle  and  a  quarter;  and  when  adult  they  are  much  longer  than 
those  of  the  argali,  but  are  less  massive  at  the  base.  In  fine  specimens  I 
measured,  the  horns  attained  a  length  of  from  sixty  to  seventy  inches  along 
the  curve,  with  a  girth  at  the  base  of  about  fifteen  inches.  One  specimen  had 
the  remarkable  length  of  eighty-two  inches,  with  a  girth  of  eighteen  inches. 

The  European  member  of  this  family  is  known  as  the  mouflon,  and 
formerly  was  found  in  all  parts  of  continental  Europe.  In  recent  years  the 
animal  has  become  extinct  except  in  Sardinia  and  Corsica.  The  mouflon 
is  much  smaller  than  the  other  species,  rarely  measuring  more  than  thirty 
inches  at  the  withers. 

In  Sardinia  the  mouflon,  instead  of  being  found  on  all  the  mountain 
ranges,  are  restricted  to  certain  chains,  and  there  they  frequent  only  the 
highest  ridges,  generally  confining  themselves  to  such  peaks  as  command 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    WILD    SHEEP. 


181 


a  view  of  the  whole  of  the  surrounding  country.  The  flocks  of  mouflon 
are  led  by  an  old  and  powerful  ram;  but  at  the  pairing-season  the  large  flocks 
used  to  split  up  into  small  parties,  consisting  of  one  ram  and  several  ewe's. 
The  rams  engage  in  fierce  conflicts  among  themselves  for  the  supremacy; 
and  during  the  months  of  December  and  January  the  mountains  re-echo 
with  the  sound  of  the  blows  as  one  ram  rushes  against  the  head  of  another. 
The  Sardinian  mouflon  is  one  of  the  most  difficult  animals  to  approach  with 


A    MOUFLON    FAMILY. 


which  I  am  acquainted.  When  they  are  alarmed,  or  at  "gaze,"  they  have 
a  habit,  or  at  least  the  rams  have,  of  placing  themselves  in  the  middle  of  a 
bush,  or  in  the  shadow  which  it  casts.  The  ewes,  which  are  naturally  less 
conspicuous,  do  this  in  a  less  degree.  The  mouflon  are  assisted  by  the 
wonderful  alertness  of  their  eyes.  One  of  their  favorite  devices  is  tO'  seek 
for  spots  on  the  lee-side  of  a  ridge  where  the  currents  of  air  meet.     Here, 


182 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    WILD    SHEEP. 


and  in  otherwise  favorable  positions,  they  are  quite  unapproachable.  Occa- 
sionally wild  mouflon  will  desert  their  own  kin  to  live  among  tame  sheep; 
while  sometimes  also  a  motherless  domestic  lamb  has  been  known  to  seek 
companionship  among  a  flock  of  mouflon. 

In  conformity  with  its  structure,  the  bharal  of  Thibet  is  intermediate 
in  its  habits  between  the  sheep  and  the  goats.     Like  the  former,  it  is  found 


A    MOUFLON    OF    SARDINIA. 


on  undulating  ground,  and  frequently  lies  down  during  the  day  on  its 
feeding-ground,  though  generally  amongst  stones;  but,  like  the  latter,  it  is 
a  splendid  climber,  perfectly  at  home  on  precipitous  cliffs,  and  when  alarmed 
takes  refuge  in  ground  inaccessible  to  man.  It  is  found  in  herds  of  from 
eight  or  ten  to  fifty  or  even  a  hundred;  the  males  and  females  being  generally 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    WILD    SHEEP. 


183 


found  apart  in  the  summer,  but  frequently  associating  together  at  all  seasons. 
The  herds  keep  to  high,  open  ground  above  forest,  and  never  even  enter 
bush.  They  feed  and  rest  alternately  during  the  day.  O'wing  to  their  color 
it  is  peculiarly  difficult  to  make  them  out  when  they  are  lying  down  amongst 
stones.  It  appears  that  these  animals  are  never  found  below  an  elevation 
of  ten  thousand  feet  above  the  sea-level,  while  in  summer  they  range  up 
to  fourteen  thousand  and  sixteen  thousand  feet.  Bharal  are  by  no  means 
difficult  of  approach  in  districts  where  they  have  not  been  much  disturbed, 


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if    '^-^        ^      -^,  *   .  • 

^■111       ^    J[V  ^nfmi^'s  ■iTin-^^'^'      "^"^^  ■^■-  aen  V  aft' 


"big  horns"  of  the  rocky  mountains. 


and  on  one  occasion  in  Ladak  I  came  suddenly  upon  a  flock  of  five  rams 
lying  asleep  in  an  unfrequented  path. 

The  Barbary,  or  maned  sheep,  which  is  the  only  wild  representative  of 
the  group  met  with  in  Africa,  w'lile  agreeing  with  the  bharal  in  the  general 
character  of  its  hori^s  and  skull,  is  distinguished  by  the  great  mass  of  long 
hair  clothing  the  throat,  chest,  and  fore-limbs,  and  likewise  by  the  great 
length  of  the  thickly-haired  tail,  which  reaches  slightly  below  the  hocks. 


184 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    WILD    SHEEP. 


The  Barbary  sheep  attains  a  height  of  rather  over  three  feet,  and  is  of  a 
nearly  uniform  pale  yellow  color. 

The  Arabs  are  in  the  habit  of  pitching  their  tents  near  the  scanty  springs 
frequented  by  these  sheep,  and  daily  lead  their  goats  high  up  the  mountains. 
Consequently,  the  animals  have  no  means  of  escaping  from  them,  as  every 


1  lll:',;|l||!!.li:!n'ii!: 


;:i|ii|llli|i!!i||||i!!|ir^- 


iHi! 
i'lii 

I 

11 
ill! 

illli 


3     :, 


■■"II 

■ill 


iiiiiei 


BARBARY,  OR  MANED  SHEEP. 


mountain  within  reach  of  water  is  similarly  infested.  They  are  constantly 
within  sight  and  hearing  of  the  Arabs  and  their  goats,  and  as  they  cannot  get 
away  they  have  developed  the  art  of  hiding  themselves  to  an  extraordinary 
extent,  and  they  have  unlimited  confidence  in  their  own  invisibility. 


THE  MUNGOOSE 


Where    Found    in    Africa — An    All-around    Fighter — Hater    of    Snakes — Kills    a    Poisonous 
Cobra — Clears  Cuba  and  Porta  Rico  of  Rats. 


No  traveler  who  is  at  all  observant  can  fail  to  meet  in  the  Masai  steppe, 
which  covers  a  great  part  of  British  East  Africa,  a  graceful,  marten-like 
animal,  the  mungoose.  There  are  several  species  of  them,  different  in  color 
and  size,  varying  from  a  good-sized  weasel  to  a  full-grown  cat.  They  are 
often  found  living  in  ant-hills  together  with  the  ground-squirrels.  The  mun- 
goose is  social  in  its  habits  and  often  herds  of  these  animals  ravage  the  steppe, 
devouring  everything  eatable,  plants  as  well  as  animals.  In  its  rapid  move- 
ments a  string  of  mungoose  often  resembles  a  big,  moving  snake.  To  watch 
these  agile  animals  affords  a  great  deal  of  amusement.  When  they  suspect 
danger  they  all  run  for  home — that  is,  the  termite-hill — and  keep  in  hiding 
for  hours.  But  by  and  by  first  one,  then  a  second,  and  finally  all  poke  their 
noses  out  of  their  little  holes,  venture  out  and  about  their  stronghold,  leaping 
and  skipping,  running  in  and  out  as  if  playing  hide  and  seek. 

An  African  traveler  who  has  spent  many  years  in  the  tropics  of  the  dark 
Continent  gives  the  following  interesting  details  as  to  the  natural  history  of  the 
Mungoose.     Says  he : 

To  my  mind  the  best  all-around  rough-and-ready  fighter,  of  his  size, 
in  the  animal  kingdom  is  the  mungoose.  In  India  this  little  creature  de- 
lights in  nothing  so  much  as  to  meet  a  cobra,  the  most  deadly  of  all  snakes. 

The  mungoose  is  about  the  size  of  a  cat.  It  lies  in  wait  for  its  hered- 
itary enemy,  or  rather  victim,  for  the  fight  always  has  one  ending,  and 
when  the  serpent  comes  into  range  attacks  with  a  desperation  born  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  cobra's  venomous  bite.  His  mode  of  attack  is  to  tease 
the  snake  into  darting  at  him,  when  with  inconceivable  rapidity  he  pounces 
on  the  reptile's  head. 

Much  has  been  written  as  to  the  combats  of  both  the  Egyptian  and  the 
Indian  mungoose  with  venomous  snakes,  and  also  as  to  the  alleged  immu- 
nity of  these  animals  from  snake  poison.  The  prevalent  belief  throughout 
oriental  countries  is  that  the  mungoose,  when  bitten,  seeks  for  an  antidote, 
a  herb  or  root  known  in  India  as  manguswail.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to 
say  that  the  story  is  destitute  of  foundation.  There  is,  however,  another 
view,  supported  by  some  evidence,  that  the  mungoose  is  less  susceptible  to 
snake  poison  than  other  animals.  I  have  not  seen  many  combats,  but,  so 
far  as  I  can  judge  from  the  few  I  have  witnessed,  the  mungoose  escaped 

185 


186 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    MUN GOOSE. 


being  bitten  by  his  wonderful  activity.  He  appears  to  wait  till  the  snake 
makes  a  dart  at  him,  and  then  suddenly  pounces  upon  the  reptile's  head 
and  crunches  it  to  pieces.  I  have  seen  a  mungoose  eat  up  the  head  and 
poison  glands  of  a  large  cobra,  so  the  poison  must  be  harmless  to  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  former  animal.  When  excited,  the  mungoose 
erects  its  long  stiff  hair,  and  it  must  be  very  difificult  for  a  snake  to  drive 
its  fangs  through  this  and  through  the  thick  skin  which  all  kinds  of  mun- 


HOW   THE    MUNGOOSE   FIGHTS. 
(Killing    a   Cobra  and    attacking   a   Great   Bustard.) 

gooses  possess.  In  all  probability  a  mungoose  is  very  rarely  scratched  by 
the  fangs,  and,  if  he  is,  very  little  poison  can  be  injected.  It  has  been 
repeatedly  proved  by  experiments  that  a  mungoose  can  be  killed,  like  any 
other  animal,  if  properly  bitten  by  a  venomous  snake,  though  even  in  this 
case  the  effects  appear  to  be  produced  after  a  longer  period  than  with  other 
mammals  of  the  same  size. 

In  addition  to  beinsf  a  benefactor  to  the  human  race  as  a  destrover  of 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   MUNGOOSE. 


187 


poisonous  snakes,  the  Indian  mungoose  (like  its  Egyptian  cousin)  is  equally 
valuable  as  an  exterminator  of  rats,  ships  having  more  than  once  been 
cleared  of  those  pests  in  a  comparatively  short  period  by  the  introduction 
of  a  mungoose.  About  twenty  years  ago  the  sugar-planting  industry  in 
Jamaica  was  threatened  with  annihilation  from  the  damage  inflicted  on  the 
canes  by  a  particular  species  of  rat,  which  absolutely  swarmed  in  the  island. 
After  ferrets,  toads  and  ants  had  been  tried  with  more  or  less  ill-success 
to  stay  the  plague,  the  Indian  mungoose  was  introduced.  In  the  spring 
of  1872  nine  of  these  animals  were  imported  and  let  loose  in  the  island. 


INDIAN    MONGOOSES. 


Within  a  few  months  young  ones  were  seen  about,  and  in  less  than  six 
months  there  was  evidence,  clear  and  certain,  that  the  rats  were  much  less 
destructive  than  they  had  ever  been  known.  Fewer  rats  were  caught  and 
fewer  canes  were  destroyed,  month  after  month.  Within  two  years  the 
expenditure  in  killing  rats  ceased  almost  entirely,  and  in  another  year  the 
planters  enjoyed  relief  and  immunity;  and  ever  since  the  losses  from  rats 
have  been  a  mere  trifle.  Within  a  very  short  time  neighboring  islands 
found  a  similar  benefit.  The  mungoose  has  been  subsequently  introduced, 
with  equally  satisfactory  results,  into  Cuba,  and  America's  new  possession, 
Porto  Rico. 


188  THE   STORY   OF   THE   MUN GOOSE. 

The  mungoose  is  easily  tamed  and  in  India  is  kept  for  the  purpose  of 
driving  the  cobra  from  the  residences  of  the  wealthy  inhabitants.  Snake- 
charmers  carry  the  animal  about  with  them.  I  at  one  time  owned  one 
which  always  accompanied  me  in  my  hunting  trips.  Whenever  I  shot  birds 
the  little  fellow  would  stand  on  his  hind  legs  when  he  saw  me  present  the 
gun,  and  run  for  the  bird  when  it  fell.  He  had,  however,  no  notion  of 
retrieving,  but  would  scamper  ofif  with  his  prey  to  devour  it  at  leisure.  He 
was  a  most  fearless  little  fellow,  and  once  attacked  a  big  greyhound,  who 
beat  a  retreat.  In  a  rage  his  body  would  swell  to  nearly  twice  its  size,  from 
the  erection  of  the  hair;  yet  I  had  him  under  such  perfect  subjection  that 
I  had  only  to  hold  up  my  finger  to  him  when  he  was  about  to  attack  any- 
thing, and  he  would  desist.  I  heard  a  great  noise  one  day  outside  my 
room,  and  found  "Pips"  attacking  a  fine  male  specimen  I  had  of  the  great 
bustard,  which  he  had  just  seized  by  the  throat.  I  rescued  the  bird,  but 
it  died  of  its  injuries.  Through  the  carelessness  of  my  servants  he  was  lost 
one  day  in  a  heavy  brushwood  jungle  some  miles  from  my  camp,  and  I 
quite  gave  up  all  hope  of  recovering  my  pet.  Next  day,  however,  in  track- 
ing some  antelope,  we  happened  to  cross  the  route  taken  by  my  servants, 
when  we  heard  a  familiar  little  yelp,  and  down  from  a  tree  we  were  under 
rushed  "Pips." 

The  true  mungooses  have  long,  weasel-like  bodies,  and  a  more  or  less 
elongated  tail,  which  is  generally  thick  at  the  root,  and  may  be  covered  with 
long  hair,  its  general  color  being  like  that  of  the  body,  but  the  tip  often 
darker.  The  longer  hairs  of  almost  all  the  mungooses  are  marked  with 
alternate  darker  and  lighter  rings,  which  communicate  a  peculiar  and  char- 
acteristic speckled  appearance  to  the  fur.  The  head  has  a  pointed  muzzle, 
with  a  rather  short  nose,  in  which  there  is  a  groove  on  the  completely  naked 
under  surface.  The  ears  are  small  and  rounded.  The  limbs  are  likewise 
of  extreme  shortness,  the  feet  being  provided  with  five  toes,  of  which  the 
first,  both  in  front  and  behind,  is  extremely  small.  These  toes  are  gener- 
ally detached,  but  may  be  slightly  connected  by  a  small  web  at  their  bases. 
The  under  surfaces  of  the  fore  feet  are  generally  naked,  while  in  most  cases 
only  the  front  part  of  the  soles  of  the  hind  feet  are  free  from  hair. 

The  meerkat,  as  the  South  African  mungoose  is  known,  is  a  small  animal 
of  slender  form,  with  a  tail  of  about  half  the  length  of  the  head  and  body. 
The  fur  is  long  and  soft,  of  a  light  grizzled  gray  color,  with  black  transverse 
stripes  across  the  hinder  part  of  the  back,  and  the  tail  yellowish,  with  a  black 
tip.     The  longer  hairs  are  broadly  ringed  with  black  and  white,  the  white 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    MUNGOQSE. 


189 


predominating.  The  transverse  light  and  dark  bands  on  the  loins  are 
formed  by  the  regular  arrangement  of  the  hairs,  by  which  the  white  and 
black  rings  come  opposite  to  each  other  on  adjacent  hairs.  Meerkats  may 
be  distinguished  at  a  glance  from  all  other  mungooses  by  their  elongated 
nose  and  claws,  as  well  as  by  their  peculiar  coloration,  no  other  species 
having  ears  differing  in  color  from  the  rest  of  the  head. 

South  African  meerkats  appear  to  be  confined  to  Cape  Colony,  extend- 
ing at  least  as  far  north  as  Algoa  Bay.     These  animals  form  most  admirable 


SOUTH    AFRICAN    MUNGOOSES    OR    MEERKATS. 


and  amusing  little  pets,  nearly  every  homestead  having  one  or  more  of  these 
creatures.  In  their  w'ild  state  the  meerkats  live  in  colonies  or  warrens, 
burrowing  deep  holes  in  the  sandy  soil,  and  feeding  chiefly  on  succulent 
bulbs  which  they  scratch  up  with  the  long,  curved  black  claws  on  their 
fore  feet.  They  are  devoted  sun-worshippers,  and  in  the  early  morning, 
before  it  is  daylight,  they  emerge  from  their  burrows,  and  wait  in  rows  till 
their  divinity  appears,  when  they  bask  joyfully  in  his  beams.  They  are  very 
numerous  on  the  arru,  and,  as  you  ride  or  drive  along  through  the  veldt, 
you  often  come  upon  little  colonies  of  them  sitting  up  sunning  themselves, 


190  THE   STORY    OF    THE   MUNGOOSE. 

and  looking,  in  their  quaint  and  pretty  favorite  attitude,  like  tiny  dogs  beg- 
ging. As  you  approach  they  look  at  you  fearlessly  and  impudently,  allow- 
ing you  to  come  quite  close;  then,  when  their  confiding  manner  has  tempted 
you  to  get  down  in  the  wild  hope  of  catching  one  of  them,  suddenly  all  pop 
so  swiftly  into  their  little  holes  that  they  seem  to  have  disappeared  by  magic. 

Although  in  the  Cape  it  appears  that  the  name  meerkat  is  also  often 
applied  tO'  the  thick-tailed  mungoose,  it  is  the  true  meerkat  alone  which 
makes  such  a  charming  pet.  The  quaint,  old-fashioned  Httle  fellow  is  as 
neatly  made  as  a  small  bird;  his  coat,  of  the  softest  fur,  with  markings  not 
unlike  those  of  a  tabby  cat,  is  always  well  kept  and  spotlessly  clean;  his  tiny 
feet,  ears  and  nose  are  all  most  daintily  and  delicately  finished  off,  and  the 
broad  circle  of  black  bordering  his  large  dark  eye  serves  to  enhance  the  size 
and  brilliancy  of  the  orbs. 

The  most  typical  representative  of  the  mungoose  family  is  the  Egyptian 
mungoose  or  ichneumon,  inhabiting  Africa,  north  of  the  Sahara  Desert, 
Palestine,  Asia  Minor,  and  the  southern  portions  of  Spain.  It  was  one  of 
the  sacred  animals  of  the  ancient  Egyptians,  and  is  often  depicted  on  their 
frescoes.  It  feeds  largely  upon  the  eggs  of  crocodiles,  although  this  habit 
has  not  been  recorded  of  any  of  the  Indian  species.  It  was,  and  I  believe 
still  is,  domesticated  in  Egypt;  and  has  the  same  antipathy  to  snakes  alluded 
to  under  the  head  of  the  common  Indian  species.  The  Egyptian  mungoose 
is  a  large  species;  the  length  of  the  head  and  body  being  about  twenty 
inches. 


THE  CARACAL-AFRICAN  LYNX 

A  Sportsman's   Stories  About   the  African   Lynx — Tamed   Cubs — The  Lynx   Catching  Jack- 
Rabbits — Its  Valuable  Fur — It  Catches  Birds  on  the  Wing — "Lynx-eyed." 


Our  ex-President  once  in  awhile  happened  to  come  across  the  East  African 
representative  of  the  lynx  family — the  caracal.  It  is  a  rare  chance  to  meet  this 
animal  in  day-time,  for  it  comes  out  of  the  bush  chiefly  at  night.  Once,  says  a 
famous  hunter,  I  was  watching  pygmy  antelopes  on  the  velt  when  I  saw,  not 
more  than  sixty  feet  from  me,  a  lynx  looking  out  for  the  same  game.  I  did 
not  mean  to  let  my  chance  slip  and  shot  it  on  the  spot. 

Another  time  I  was  still  more  fortunate.  Not  far  from  my  camp  on  the 
steppe  I  had  noticed  about  sixty-four  ostriches.  As  they  were  marching,  I 
merely  observed  them  with  my  field  glass.  One  day,  however,  I  could  not 
resist  the  temptation  and  decided  to  shoot  a  male  bird,  which  I  meant  to 
present  to  the  Royal  Museum  in  my  native  country.  I  singled  out  one  and, 
approaching  within  six  hundred  feet,  fired.  The  bird  flapped  its  wings  and 
fell.  The  same  moment  something  began  to  move  within  the  bush  which 
served  me  as  cover.  I  was  startled  and  also  considerably  scared,  for  I  thought 
I  had  disturbed  the  most  dangerous  of  felines — a  leopard — in  its  lair.  It  was, 
however,  a  lynx,  which  tried  to  escape,  but  which  fell  a  victim  to  the  second 
bullet  of  my  double-barreled  rifle.  This  was  luck,  indeed ;  a  fine  double  shot — 
an  ostrich  and  a  lynx. 

In  my  various  travels  I  have  met  and  studied  no  less  than  twenty  species  of 
lynx.  The  true  lynx,  that  makes  its  home  in  Europe  and  northern  Africa,  is 
the  best  representative  of  the  general  class,  but  the  American  species  have 
many  similar  characteristics. 

The  body  is  always  marked  with  small  black  spots  during  the  summer.  In 
some  instances,  perhaps  in  young  animals  only,  these  spots  continue  during 
the  winter.  This,  however,  appears  to  occur  only  among  the  lynxes  of 
Europe;  those  of  Asia  having  the  winter  dress  without  spots,  except  on  the 
flanks  and  limbs,  while  they  may  be  also  wanting  there.  The  hairs  of  the 
fur  vary  in  color  in  different  parts  of  their  length,  and  are  tipped  with  black. 
The  ears  are  gray  on  the  outsides,  with  black  margins,  tips,  and  tufts.  Occa- 
sionally the  under-parts  of  the  body  are  spotted.  The  length  of  a  full-grown 
lynx  is  thirty-three  inches,  exclusive  of  the  tail,  which  measures  only  seven 
and  three-quarters  inches ;  but  the  length  of  the  head  and  body  may  be  upwards 
of  forty  inches. 

191 


192 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    LYNX. 


In  Ladak,  where  the  lynx  is  a  rare  animal,  but  seldom  seen  by  Europeans, 
its  chief  food  appears  to  consist  of  the  blue  hares  which  occur  in  swarms  in 
many  of  the  higher  valleys.  One  summer  when  shooting  at  a  high  elevation 
near  Hanle,  in  Spiti,  I  suddenly  came  upon  a  female  lynx  w^ith  two  cubs.  I 
shot  the  mother,  and  as  the  cubs  concealed  themselves  among  some  rocks,  I 
barricaded  them  in,  and  went  on  with  my  hunting.  On  arriving  in  camp,  I 
sent  back  men  to  try  and  catch  the  cubs;  in  this  they  succeeded,  and  brought 
them  back  to  me.     They  were  alxiut  the  size  of  half-grown  cats,  and  more 


THE  CARACAL  OR  DESERT  LYNX. 


spiteful,  vicious  little  devils  cannot  be  imagined;  they  were,  however,  very 
handsome,  with  immense  heads  and  paws.  For  two  or  three  days  they  re- 
fused all  food,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  they  fed  quite  ravenously  from  the 
hand. 

The  Canada  lynx  is  a  native  of  North  America,  and  is  remarkable  for 
its  gait.  Its  method  of  progression  is  by  bounds  from  all  four  feet  at  once, 
with  the  back  arched.  It  feeds  principally  on  the  American  hare,  as  it  is  not 
courageous  enough  to  attack  the  larger  quadrupeds.    Its  length  is  about  three 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    LYNX. 


193. 


feet.  The  Indians  sometimes  eat  its  flesh,  which  is  white  and  firm,  and  not 
imHke  that  of  the  American  hare  itself.  Its  skin  forms  an  important  article  of 
commerce,  and  between  seven  and  nine  thousand  are  exported  annually  by 
the  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 

The  pardine  or  Southern  European  lynx  is,  perhaps,  the  handsomest  rep- 
resentative of  the  entire  group,  its  fur  being  distinctly  spotted  at  all  seasons 


THE   CANADA  LYNX. 


of  the  year.  The  color  of  the  body  is  yellowish  above,  and  white  beneath ; 
the  rounded  black  spots  occurring  on  the  body,  tail  and  limbs.  From  the  ex- 
amination of  the  skin  alone  I  regard  this  animal  merely  as  a  southern  spotted 
variety  of  the  common  lynx,  analogous  to  the  spotted  and  banded  southern 
varieties  of  the  American  bay  lynx.  An  examination  of  the  skull  showed, 
however,  some  differences  from  that  of  the  northern  lynx. 


194  THE   STORY    OF    THE   LYNX. 

This  lynx  is  found  in  Europe  in  Spain,  Sicily,  Sardinia,  Greece  and  Tur- 
key.   Its  habits  are  probably  very  similar  to  those  of  the  northern  species. 

The  foxy-colored  cat  known  as  the  caracal  is  a  species  of  lynx,  and  agrees 
with  the  latter  in  its  long  limbs,  penciled  ears,  and  the  characters  of  its  teeth; 
but  in  its  longer  tail,  absence  of  a  ruff  round  the  throat,  and  less  close  and 
thick  fur,  it  resembles  the  caffre-cat.  The  transition  from  the  typical  cats 
to  the  lynxes  is,  therefore,  complete.  The  caracal  is  sometimes  called  the 
desert  lynx. 

In  addition  to  its  long-  limbs  it  is  characterized  by  its  slender  build,  the 
length  of  the  tail  being  equal  to  one-third  of  that  of  the  hind  leg  and  body, 
and  by  the  long  tufts  of  black  hair  surmounting  the  long  ears.  The  length  of 
the  head  and  body  varies  from  26  to  30  inches,  and  that  of  the  tail  from  9 
to  10  inches;  the  height  at  the  shoulder  being  from  16  to  18  inches. 

This  species  is  sometimes  known  as  the  Persian,  and  at  others  as  the  red 
lynx,  but  the  latter  name  is  properly  applied  to  a  North  American  variety 
of  the  true  lynx.  Although  a  rare  animal  everywhere,  the  caracal  is  spread 
over  the  greater  part  of  India,  \\'\i\\  the  exception  of  Bengal,  the  Malabar 
coast,  and  the  Eastern  Himalaya.  It  is  unknown  to  the  eastward  of  the 
Bay  of  Bengal,  but  towards  the  southwest  it  is  found  in  Mesopotamia,  and 
perhaps  the  Persian  highlands.  It  is  also  found  in  Arabia;  and  over  a  large 
portion  of  Africa  it  is  the  sole  representative  of  the  lynxes. 

We  have  little  or  no  information  as  to  the  habits  of  the  caracal  in  Africa, 
and  only  a  scant  record  of  its  mode  of  life  in  India.  I  know,  however,  that 
it  dwells  among  grass  and  bushes,  rather  than  in  forests.  Its  prey  consists 
largely  of  gazelles,  the  smaller  species  of  deer,  hares,  pea-fowl,  florican, 
cranes,  and  other  birds;  and  so  active  is  the  creature,  that  it  has  the  power 
of  springing  up  and  capturing  birds  on  the  wing  at  a  height  of  five  or  six 
feet  above  the  ground.  The  caracal  is  easily  tamed,  and  in  some  parts  of 
India  is  trained  to  capture  several  of  the  animals  mentioned  above  as  forming 
its  natural  prey.  It  is  a  favorite  amusement  among  the  natives  to  let  loose 
a  couple  of  tame  caracals  among  a  flock  of  pigeons  feeding  on  the  ground, 
vv^hen  each  of  them  will  strike  down  as  many  as  ten  birds  before  the  flock 
can  escape.  It  is  believed  that  the  expression  "Inyx-eyed"  owes  its  origir 
to  this  species. 


HIPPOPOTAMUS  HUNTING 

Colonel   Roosevelt's  Thrilling  Adventure   and   Narrow  Escape  on  Lake   Naivasha — He 
Kills  Two  Huge  Hippopotami. 


The  hippopotamus  is  one  of  Africa's  most  interesting  pachyderms.  While 
found  in  the  vicinity  of  ahnost  every  lake  and  river  in  East  Africa,  these 
survivors  from  a  past  period  of  the  earth's  history  are  getting  less  and  less 
numerous.  Consequently  our  former  President  was  very  anxious  to  secure 
a  good  specimen  for  our  National  Museum.  His  first  attempts,  however, 
were  rather  disappointing.  While  stopping  as  a  welcome  guest  at  the  ex- 
tensive hunting  grounds  of  Captain  F.  Attenborough  and  his  brother  on  the 
beautiful  volcanic  Naivasha  Lake  he  at  last  got  a  chance  to  satisfy  his  desire. 
His  hospitable  hosts,  who  have  built  an  artificial  lake  on  their  magnificent 
estate,  wherein  they  have  two  or  three  dozen  hippopotami,  insisted  that  the 
Colonel  supply  himself  from  this  easily  accessible  store.  But  our  Rough  Rider 
found  this  method  of  hunting  in  Africa  altogether  too  tame  and  set  out  on 
the  lake  alone,  only  accompanied  by  two  of  his  native  gunbearers. 

Hunting  hippopotami  is  a  very  dangerous  sport,  for  the  beast  is  as  familiar 
with  his  watery  domain  as  a  fish,  and  often  will  keep  under  the  water  so  as 
to  be  invisible  to  the  hunter,  though  he  may  be  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
the  boat.  Sometimes  he  will  swim  right  under  the  boat  and  by  a  sudden  jerk 
throw  the  hunters  overboard  before  they  have  time  to  realize  their  danger. 
The  chances  of  escape  in  such  a  case  are  very  slight. 

The  Colonel  had  made  up  his  mind  not  to  leave  Lake  Naivasha  until  he 
had  secured  a  fine  specimen  for  the  expedition.  For  several  hours  his  search 
was  in  vain.  In  his  small  row-boat  he  had  already  covered  several  miles  of 
his  watery  hunting  grounds  and  had  reached  a  distant  and  isolated  part  of 
the  lake,  far  away  from  his  safari,  when  suddenly  the  calm  surface  was  vio- 
lently  disturbed  as  by  a  tempest  and  high  billows  were  rising  all  around.  Our 
sportsman  had  at  last  struck  upon  a  school  of  hippopotami.  The  huge  un- 
wieldy beasts  were  apparently  not  less  surprised  than  the  Colonel.  There  were 
a  whole  dozen  of  them  and  they  crowded  in  upon  the  small  skiff  from  all  sides, 
threatening  to  overturn  it  and  throw  the  men  overboard.  If  the  frenzied 
brutes  had  succeeded  in  their  mad  fury  in  upsetting  the  raft  both  the  ex-Presi- 
dent and  his  frightened  oarsmen  would  have  met  with  instantaneous  death. 
The  two  terror-stricken  boatmen  fully  realized  the  danger,  but  were  too  fright- 

195 


196  HIPPOPOTAMUS  HUNTING. 

ened  to  pay  attention  to  Mr.  Roosevelt's  commands.  Had  they  been  alone  they 
surely  would  have  been  lost.  But  the  Colonel  realized  that  to  lose  one's  head 
in  such  a  situation  is  to  lose  one's  life.  He  threw  his  heavy  rifle  to  his  shoulder 
and  sent  a  solid  "405"  Winchester  bullet  over  the  heads  of  his  crouching  and 
trembling  porters  right  through  the  brain  of  the  nearest  hippo,  a  magnificent 
cow,  which  seemed  to  be  the  head  of  the  herd.  The  buzzing  missile  killed 
the  huge  beast  outright,  and  another  bullet  performed  the  same  service  to  a 
gigantic  bull,  which  seemed  intent  upon  taking  a  speedy  and  bloody  revenge 
on  the  slayer  of  his  mate.  Two  monster  beasts  were  floating  dead  at  only  a 
few  yards'  distance  from  the  boat  and  the  rest  disappeared  from  view  like 
magic,  for  these  colossal  animals  possess  the  power  of  diving  under  the  water 
at  will  and  can  bear  submersion  so  long  that  when  they  need  to  come  to  the 
surface  again  for  breathing  they  are  too  far  away  to  be  successfully  pursued-. 
The  Colonel's  oarsmen  were  so  frightened  that  he  had  great  difficulty  in 
getting  them  to  approach  the  two  beasts  even  after  they  were  killed. 

The  large  bull  bagged  by  Mr.  Roosevelt  was  fourteen  feet  in  length.  Its 
head  was  about  the  size  of  a  big  traveling  trunk.  To  hit  such  a  big  head  is  of 
course  easy,  but  to  pierce  the  brain  box  is  difficult  because  of  its  small  size  as 
compared  with  the  head.     A  hippo  brain  weighs  only  two  or  three  pounds. 

Meanwhile  the  Colonel's  long  absence  from  the  camp  had  caused  no  little 
anxiety  and  his  party  had  set  out  in  a  steam  launch  in  search  of  their  lost 
leader.  They  did  not  get  back  to  the  camp  until  next  morning,  however,  for 
the  two  carcasses  had  to  be  towed  in,  as  they  were  too  valuable  to  be  left  adrift 
till  next  day  and  perhaps  lost.  They  were  the  finest  specimens  the  expedition 
had  secured  so  far. 

The  hippopotamus  is  chiefly  hunted  on  account  of  his  tusks,  which  supply 
the  trade  with  high-grade  ivory,  which  is  mostly  used  in  the  manufacture  of 
artificial  teeth.  A  hippo  tooth  weighs  about  five  pounds  and  is  worth  from 
six  to  ten  dollars.  Its  black  hide  is  also  used  for  various  purposes.  The  na- 
tives cover  their  shields  with  it,  for  it  is  impregnable  to  an  arrow  and  to  an 
ordinary  rifle  bullet  too.  From  the  hippo  hide  is  also  made  the  famous  sjam- 
bok, a  most  effective  African  whip  used  on  oxen  and  natives  and  comparable 
only  with  the  Russian  knout.  It  was  an  instrument  of  this  kind  which  a  na- 
tive chief  advised  Dr.  Livingstone  to  use  in  converting  the  natives,  as  he 
thought  preaching  was  too  slow  a  method. 

Upon  the  party's  return  to  the  camp  the  two  huge  beasts  were  pulled  out 
of  the  water  by  a  crowd  of  about  150  natives.  One  of  our  illustrations  shows 
a  group  of  natives  around  the  carcass  of  the  huge  monster  preparing  to  land 


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HIPPOPOTAMUS  HUNTING. 


it.  They  are  always  very  willing  to  assist  a  hunter  who  is  out  for  hippo- 
potamus, for  they  are  very  fond  of  its  meat.  Colonel  Roosevelt  treated  his 
native  gunbearers  to  a  feast  on  hippopotamus  fat  and  meat,  and  after  the 
huge  animals  were  pulled  high  and  dry  the  flesh  was  cut  into  small  pieces  by 
the  hyena-like  hungry  aboriginals  and  eaten  raw,  while  Prof.  Edmund  Heller, 
the  skilled  taxidermist  of  the  party,  went  to  work  right  away  to  preserve  the 
hides  for  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  to  scrape  the  flesh  from  the  bones 
so  as  to  get  their  skeletons  in  good  shape  for  the  museum. 

Another  illustration  shows  the  natives  at  work  pulling  the  beast  along 
after  it  was  landed.    The  picture  and  the  great  number  of  natives  required  to 


Photo.,  Underwood. 


DRAGGING   THE    HIPPO  TO   SHORE. 


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HIPPOPOTAMUS  HUNTING.  201 

move  the  body  give  our  reader  an  idea  of  the  size  and  weight  of  this  gigantic 
beast.  Strange  to  say  the  native  women  never  track  the  hippo  nor  eat  its  meat 
for  fear  of  becoming  barren.  Females  represented  on  opposite  page  are 
women  of  the  Kaviondo  tribe  engaged  in  dragging  a  hippopotamus  head  for 
their  chief  to  eat.    The  head  is  considered  a  morsel  of  "delicatessen." 

While  the  American  safari  stayed  in  the  Sotik  district  two  of  its  mem- 
bers, Major  Mearns  and  J.  Alden  Loring,  the  naturalist,  engaged  in  an  ex- 
pedition to  Mount  Kenia  and  collected  about  3,000  specimens  of  birds,  in- 
sects and  other  small  animals.  In  his  climb  of  the  mountain  Mr.  Loring 
reached  an  altitude  of  16,500  feet.  The  specimens  were  taken  to  Mombasa  to 
be  packed  for  shipment  to  America. 

Mount  Kenia  is  an  extinct  volcano  covered  with  numerous  extensive  glac- 
iers. Its  height  is  about  17,200  feet.  This  gigantic  mountain  rises  gradually 
by  long  gentle  slopes  and  the  American  expedition  found  that  the  fertile  soil 
of  the  mountain  sides  had  attracted  numerous  European  settlers,  who  found 
the  cultivation  of  plants  and  vegetables  suitable  to  the  climate  very  profitable. 

The  following  instructive  facts  about  the  African  hippopotamus  will  no 
doubt  interest  our  readers. 

It  is  related  of  a  former  United  States  Senator  from  Ohio  that  he  was 
one  day  at  a  circus  and  menagerie,  where  he  was  watching  the  feeding  of 
the  hippopotamus,  when  a  party,  among  whom  was  a  dentist,  approached. 
The  dentist  laughingly  said: 

"Many's  the  time  I  took  molars  like  that  fellow  has,  and  put  them  in 
the  mouths  of  my  patients." 

Pressed  to  explain  what  he  meant,  he  stated  that  the  tusks  of  the  hippo- 
potamus were  of  finest  ivory  and  used  in  making  false  teeth.  The  Senator 
had  been  an  attentive  listener  to  the  conversation,  and  suddenly  he  was 
seen  to  shudder  and  turn  pale.  Reaching  into  his  mouth  he  took  out  a 
plate,  and,  passing  it  to  the  dentist,  asked  whether  the  teeth  in  it  were  made 
from  the  hippopotamus'  tusks.  When  he  was  assured  they  were,  he  refused 
to  replace  them,  and  never  again  wore  false  teeth.  A  peculiar  lisping  pre- 
vented his  making  speeches  after  that,  but  no  amount  of  persuasion  sufficed 
to  overcome  his  disgust  at  the  teeth. 

The  hippopotamus  is  generally  spoken  of  as  a  river  horse,  because  that  is 
the  translation  of  its  Greek  name,  but  "river  hog"  would  be  a  more  truthful 
description. 

Hippopotami  are  bulky  animals,  with  round,  barrel-like  bodies  of  great 


202  THE  STORY  OF  THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 

length,  very  short  and  thick  legs,  and  enormous  heads.  Indeed,  the  ugly 
head  of  a  hippopotamus  appears  as  if  it  were  too  large  and  heavy  for  its 
owner,  since  the  animal  may  frequently  be  seen  resting  its  ungainly  muzzle 
on  the  ground,  as  though  to  relieve  the  neck  from  the  strain  of  its  weight. 

There  is,  in  all  probability,  but  one  species  of  the  hippopotamus.  It 
inhabits  Africa  exclusively,  and  is  found  in  plenty  on  the  banks  of  many 
rivers  in  that  country,  where  it  may  be  seen  gamboling  and  snorting  at  all 
times  of  the  day. 

These  animals  are  quiet  and  inoffensive  while  undisturbed;  but,  if 
attacked,  they  unite  to  repel  the  invader,  and  I  have  known  them  to  tear 
several  planks  from  the  side  of  a  boat,  and  sink  it.  They  can  remain  about 
five  or  six. minutes  under  water,  and,  when  they  emerge,  they  make  a  loud 
and  very  peculiar  snorting  noise,  which  can  be  heard  at  a  great  distance. 

In  size  the  full-grown  hippopotamus  is  equal  to  the  rhinoceros.  In  form 
it  is  uncouth,  the  body  being  extremely  large,  fat,  and  round;  the  legs  are 
very  short  and  thick;  the  mouth  extremely  wide,  and  teeth  of  vast  strength 
and  size.  The  eyes  and  ears  are  small.  The  whole  animal  is  covered  with 
short  hair,  thinly  set,  and  is  of  a  brownish  color.  The  hide  is  in  some  parts 
two  inches  thick,  and  not  much  unlike  that  of  the  hog. 

From  the  unwieldiness  of  his  body,  and  the  shortness  of  his  legs,  the 
hippopotamus  is  not  able  to  move  fast  upon  land,  and  is  then  an  extremely 
timid  animal.  If  pursued  it  takes  to  the  water,  plunges  in,  sinks  to  the 
bottom,  and  there  walks  at  ease.  It  cannot,  however,  continue  long  without 
rising  for  air,  though,  if  threatened  with  danger,  it  does  this  so  cautiously 
that  the  place  where  its  nose  is  raised  above  the  surface  of  the  water  is 
scarcely  perceptible. 

If  wounded,  the  hippopotamus  will  rise  and  attack  boats  or  canoes  with 
reat  fury,  and  will  often  sink  them  by  biting  large  pieces  out  of  their  sides. 
In  shallow  rivers  it  makes  deep  holes  in  the  bottom,  in  order  to  conceal  its 
great  bulk.  When  it  quits  the  water  it  usually  puts  out  half  its  body  at 
once,  and  smells  and  looks  round;  but  sometimes  rushes  out  with  great 
impetuosity,  and  tramples  down  everything  in  the  way.  During  the  night 
it  leaves  the  rivers  to  feed  on  sugar-canes,  rushes,  millet  or  rice,  of  which  it 
consumes  great  quantities. 

The  Egyptians  are  said  to  adopt  a  singular  mode  of  destroying  this 
voracious  animal.  They  mark  the  places  it  frequents,  and  there  deposit  a 
quantity  of  peas.  When  the  beast  comes  ashore,  hungry  and  voracious,  it 
eagerly  devours  the  peas,  which  causes  a  thirst.     It  then  rushes  into  the 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


203 


water,  and  drinks  so  copiously  that  the  peas  in  its  stomach,  being  fully 
saturated,  swell  so  much  as  soon  afterwards  to  cause  his  death.  Among 
the  Kaffirs  in  the  south  of  Africa  the  hippopotamus  is  sometimes  caught  by 
means  of  pits. 


THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


The  gait  of  this  animal,  when  undisturbed,  is  generally  so  slow  and 
cautious  that  it  often  smells  out  the  snare,  and  avoids  it.  The  most  cer- 
tain method  is  to  watch  at  night,  behind  a  bush  close  to  its  path,  and  strike 
it  in  the  knee  joints  with  a  sword. 


204  THE  STORY  OF  THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 

The  ancient  Egyptians  were  in  the  habit  of  harpooning'  the  hippopota- 
mus, and  this  custom  is  still  kept  up  by  the  Sudanis  on  the  upper  Nile.  The 
usual  plan  when  a  party  of  these  animals  has  been  observed  in  the  river,  is 
for  a  couple  of  hunters,  each  armed  with  a  harpoon  to  which  a  line  is 
attached,  to  enter  the  river  some  distance  above,  and  swim  cautiously  down 
on  the  herd.  When  within  striking  distance,  both  men  hurl  their  weapons 
at  the  same  time.  To  each  is  attached  a  wooden  float,  which  marks  the 
position  of  the  animal  while  below  the  surface,  and  the  chase  is  taken  up 
by  other  hunters  on  the  bank  armed  with  harpoons  and  lances.  By  an 
ingenious  arrangement,  the  float  is  at  length  captured  by  a  rope  and  the 
animal  dragged  to  shore,  where  it  is  despatched  with  lances.  This,  however, 
is  frequently  not  accomplished  without  the  death  of  one  or  more  of  the 
intrepid  hunters.  In  Central  Africa,  on  the  other  hand,  the  hippopotamus 
is  harpooned  from  canoes.  In  other  parts  the  favorite  method  is  to  suspend 
a  weighted  spear,  frequently  tipped  with  poison,  over  a  branch  of  a  tree 
near  the  tracks  of  the  hippopotamus,  and  to  make  fast  the  end  of  the  line, 
to  which  it  is  attached  to  stakes  on  either  side  of  the  path.  When  the 
animal  comes  along,  it  strikes  against  the  line,  the  stakes  are  loosened,  and 
the  heavy  spear  comes  down  with  a  thud  on  its  head  or  back. 


THE  WILD  BOAR 

Boars  Often  Mistaken  For  Lions — Dangerous  Sport  for  Hunters — Furious  Charge  on  Horses, 
Elephants  and  Camels — Fight  Between  a  Wild  Pig  and  a  Snake. 


While  North  Africa  is  the  home  of  a  wild  hog  resembhng  the  European 
variety,  in  the  countries  south  of  the  Sahara  are  found  several  other  species 
of  wild  hogs.  One  was  found  by  Colonel  Roosevelt  near  many  rivers  in  the 
more  settled  parts  of  British  East  Africa,  another  in  the  vast  Masai  districts. 
He  found  the  hunt  of  a  strong,  full-grown  wild  boar  both  exciting  and  profit- 
able, for  its  savory  flesh  was  a  welcome  addition  tO'  the  bill  of  fare  of  his 
safari,  and  its  tusks  are  valuable  trophies.  "The  wild  hog  does  a  great  deal 
of  damage  to  our  plantations  and  fields,  rooting  and  eating  the  fruits  at  night- 
time," said  an  African  settler  toi  our  ex-President, 

While  its  eyes  are  weak,  its  hearing  and  sense  of  smell  are  keen.  Boars 
fleeing  through  the  high  grass  or  through  thickets,  have  often  been  mistaken 
for  lions  by  the  natives.  The  bristles  on  their  back,  often  over  twelve  inches 
long,  seen  from  a  distance,  really  suggest  a  lion's  mane. 

The  wild  hog,  or  boar,  inhabits  many  parts  of  Europe,  especially  the 
forests  of  Germany,  where  the  chase  of  the  wild  boar  is  a  common  amuse- 
ment. It  has  become  extinct  in  this  country  for  many  years.  Its  tusks 
are  terrible  weapons,  and  capable  of  being  used  with  fatal  effect.  They 
curve  outwards  from  the  lower  jaw,  and  are  sometimes  eight  or  ten  inches  in 
length.  In  India,  where  the  boar  attains  to  a  great  size,  the  horses  on  which 
the  hunters  are  mounted  often  refuse  to  bring  their  riders  w'ithin  spear  stroke 
of  the  infuriated  animal,  and  I  have  seen  it  kill  a  horse,  and  severely  injure 
the  rider  with  one  sweep  of  its  enormous  tusks. 

The  wild  boar  is  distinguished  by  a  body  generally  of  dusky-brown  or 
grayish  color,  having  a  tendency  tO'  black,  and  being  diversified  with  black 
spots.  The  front  teeth  or  tusks  in  the  male  are  long  and  powerful,  and 
project  beyond  the  upper  lip,  the  mouth  is  large,  and  the  elongated  head  is 
set  on  a  short  neck  rising  out  of  a  thick  and  muscular  body.  The  size  is 
variable,  an  old  wild  boar,  measured  by  a  hunter,  being  five  feet  nine  inches 
long,  w'hile  a  four-year-old  of  the  more  ordinary  size  measured  three  feet 
without  the  tail.  The  female  is  smaller  than  the  male  and  with  smaller 
tusks.  The  hairs  of  the  body  are  coarse,  intermixed  with  downy  wool. 
On  the  neck  and  shoulders  the  hair  takes  the  form  of  bristles,  being  long 
enough  to  be  called  a  kind  of  mane  which  the  animal  is  enabled  to  erect  if 

205 


206 


THE  STORY   OF   THE    WILD   BOAR. 


irritated.     The  young  has  the  body  marked  with  stripes  of  a  reddish  color 
running  lengthwise. 

The  lower  tusks  of  the  male  wild  boar,  wdiich  project  about  three  inches 
from  the  jaw^,  and  are  kept  with  edges  as  sharp  as  razors  by  wear  against 
those  of  the  upper  jaw,  are  most  formidable  weapons,  capable  of  ripping  open 
a  horse  at  a  single  stroke.  Both  the  European  and  the  Indian  species  are 
among  the  boldest  and  fiercest  of  all  animals,  charging  men,  horses,  or  ele- 
phants time  after  time  without  a  moment's  hesitation,  and  in  spite  of  the 
most  desperate  wounds.     Indeed,  the  injuries  that  a  wild  boar  will  sustain 


EAST    AFRICAN    WILD    HOG. 


without  lo'SS  of  life  are  perfectly  marvelous.  I  once  killed  an  old  boar,  In  the 
skull  of  which  the  broken  extremity  of  the  tusk  of  another  boar  was  firmly 
embedded,  with  its  point  penetrating  into  the  brain-cavity  a  short  distance 
behind  the  left  eye. 

Although  the  speed  of  a  wild  pig  is  considerable,  yet  it  cannot  be  main- 
tained for  any  long  distance,  and  accordingly,  either  a  boar  or  a  sow  may 
be  easily  overtaken  by  a  well-mounted  horseman  after  a  comparatively  short 


THE  STORY  OF   THE   WILD  BOAR. 


207 


run.  Both  as  regards  speed  and  inclination  to  fight  there  is,  however,  con- 
siderable local  variation  among  the  wild  pigs  of  India;  the  large,  heavily- 
built  animal  found  in  Bengal  being  much  more  disposed  tO'  show  fight  than 
the  lighter  pig  of  the  Punjab,  which  has  a  greater  turn  of  speed.  In  spite 
of  its  boldness,  the  Indian  wild  boar  seldom  makes  unprovoked  attacks;  but 
when  once  roused  nothing  will  stop  it.  An  instance  is  on  record  of  a  boar 
charging,  overthrowing,  and  ripping  open  a  camel;  and  there  are  several 


A    FAMILY    OF    WILD    HOGS. 


well-authenticated  cases  of  boars  having  attacked  and  killed  or  beaten  of¥ 
tigers. 

The  curious  Japanese  masked  pig  has  an  extraordinary  appearance,  from 
its  short  head,  broad  forehead,  and  nose,  great  fleshy  ears  and  deeply- 
furrowed  skin.  Not  only  is  the  face  furrowed,  but  thick  folds  of  skin,  which 
are  harder  than  the  other  parts,  almost  like  the  plates  on  the  Indian  rhinoc- 


208 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   WILD  BOAR. 


eros,  hang  about  the  sho'ulders  and  rump.  It  is  colored  black,  with  white 
feet,  and  breeds  true.  That  it  has  long  been  domesticated  there  can  be 
little  doubt;  and  this  might  have  been  inferred  even  from  the  circum- 
stance that  its  young  are  not  longitudinally  striped. 

The  extraordinary  development  of  the  tusks  in  the  males  of  the  animal 
to  which  the  Malays  have  given  the  name  of  Babirusa  (meaning  pig-deer) 
is  so  remarkable  as  to  suggest  at  first  sight  the  idea  of  a  malformation.  The 
babirusa,  which  is  an  inhabitant  of  Celebes  and  Boru,  and  is  the  sole  repre- 


WILD    HOG    OF   THE    PHILIPPINES. 


sentative  of  its  genus,  has,  indeed,  derived  its  name  from  these  abnormally- 
developed  tusks,  which  have  led  the  Malays  to  liken  them  to  the  antlers 
of  the  deer.  In  the  boars  the  upper  tusks,  while  curving  upwards  like  those 
of  an  ordinary  wild  pig,  instead  of  protruding  from  the  margins  of  the  jaws, 
arise  close  together  near  the  middle  line  of  the  face,  and  thence,  after  being 
directed  upwards  for  a  short  distance,  sweep  backwards,  frequently  coming 
into  contact  with  the  surface  of  the  forehead,  and  are  then  finally  directed 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   WILD  BOAR. 


209 


forwards  at  the  tip.  The  lower  tusks  have  the  same  upwards-and-backwards 
direction  as  those  of  the  upper  jaw,  but  are  frequently  less  strongly  curved, 
although  in  other  cases  the  direction  of  their  sweep  is  not  very  different 
from  that  of  the  latter.  The  upper  tusks  occasionally  attain  a  length  of 
fourteen  and  one-half  inches,  exclusive  of  the  portion  buried  in  the  socket. 
It  is  a  popular  belief  that  pigs  are  never  injured  by  the  poisons  of  snakes; 
and  It  is  customary  to  turn  a  drove  of  these  animals  into  a  district  infested 


SOUTH    AFRICAN    WILD    HOG. 


by  such  reptiles,  which  in  a  short  time  is  usually  completely  cleared  of 
them.  It  is  well  known  that  pigs  will  destroy  any  rattlesnake  they  meet 
with,  and  this  serpent  is  certainly  provided  with  one  of  the  most  deadly  of 
poisons,  and  it  is  a  reptile  not  at  all  likely  to  submit  to  an  attack  from 
any  quarter  without  using  all  its  powers  of  defense.  It  is  supposed  that  the 
pig  receives  the  bite  of  the  enraged  snake  on  its  cheek,  where  the  fat  and 


JJIO  THE  STORY   OF   l^HE   WILD  BOAR. 

gristle  are  the  thickest,  and  that,  as  there  is  Httle  or  no  blood  in  that  part, 
the  poison  is  not  carried  through  the  system,  so  that  the  animal  experi- 
ences no  ill-effects  from  the  virus.  .Whenever  a  serpent  is  spied,  the  pig, 
with  erected  bristles,  rushes  right  upon  it,  and,  indifferent  to  the  formidable 
fangs  that  are  perhaps  sticking  in  its  own  hide,  bites  the  reptile  in  pieces  and 
then  devours  it, 

I  once  witnessed  a  hunt  for  babirusa  bv  the  natives  of  Celibes. 

The  animals  being  driven  into  a  curral  with  a  V-shaped  opening  and 
flanked  by  netting,  we  had  plenty  of  time  to  wait  before  the  sport  began, 
and  meanwhile  the  natives  arranged  themselves  at  their  posts.  One  stood 
at  the  door  of  the  curral,  ready  to  close  it  directly  any  animal  rushed  in; 
others  took  up  their  places  on  either  side  of  the  wide  entrance,  while 
the  remainder  crouched  in  front  of  the  long  net  at  intervals  of  a  few  yards, 
each  grasping  his  spear,  and  hidden  from  view  by  a  huge  Livistonia  (a  kind 
of  palm)  frond.  We  had  not  long  been  settled  before  a  peculiar  barking 
grunt  in  the  distance  announced  the  arrival  of  the  first  victim.  Everyone 
was  instantly  motionless,  and  directly  afterwards  a  dark  object  dashed  up  at 
great  speed  and  buried  itself  in  the  net  a  short  way  down  the  slope.  There 
was  a  short  struggle,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  the  captive,  a  full-grown 
female  babirusa,  was  quietly  reposing  on  her  back,  with  her  legs  tied  together 
with  rattan,  and  we  were  once  more  in  ambush  for  the  next  comer.  We 
were  hardly  quiet  before  the  same  peculiar  sound  was  heard  rapidly  ap- 
proaching, and  the  next  moment  a  magnificent  old  boar  babirusa  rushed 
past  within  five  yards  of  us,  and  plunged  into  the  net  between  our  tree  and 
the  entrance  to  the  curral.  His  long  tusks  became  entangled  in  the  meshes, 
and  the  natives  ran  up  to  spear  him.  Just  at  this  moment,  however,  he 
broke  loose,  and,  turning  on  his  antagonists,  scattered  them  in  all  direc- 
tions. It  was  a  most  determined  charge,  and,  as  we  were  unable  to  fire  for 
fear  of  hitting  some  of  our  own  men,  it  might  have  proved  a  serious  affair 
for  the  native  he  singled  out.  After  some  trouble  the  animal  was,  however, 
finally  despatched  with  a  spear-thrust,  but,  even  with  four  spears  buried  in 
his  body,  the  old  boar  died  game,  striving  to  the  very  last  to  get  at  his 
antagonists. 


THE  PORCUPINE 

A  Nocturnal  Animal  Bristling  with  Long  Spines — Will  Not  Run  From  a  Foe — Rolls  Itself  In 
a  Ball  When  Attacked — Cannot  Throw  Its  Quills — Savages  Use  Quills  As  Decorations 


The  traveler  in  East  Africa  never  sees  one  of  the  strangest  inhabitants  of 
the  velt — the  porcupine — unless  he  takes  the  trouble  tO'  dig  for  it,  or  is  favored 
by  good  fortune.  The  explanation  is  a  simple  one.  The  habits  of  the  porcu- 
pine are  absolutely  nocturnal.  It  spends  the  day  in  caves  in  the  earth,  from 
which  it  only  issues  at  night,  and  intoi  which  it  retreats  before  dawn.  Plenty 
of  c(uills  were  found  by  the  American  hunting  expedition,  but  they  never  saw 
the  animal  itself  at  large.  A  few  specimens  were  secured  from  the  natives, 
who  had  dug  them  out  of  their  burrows. 

One  of  them  told  Mr.  Roosevelt  that  it  sometimes  takes  a  wdiole  day  to 
secure  one  single  specimen  of  this  little  shy  and  wary  creature,  whose  burrows 
stretch  from  twenty-five  to  fifty  yards  deep  in  the  ground. 

Says  a  famous  hunter : 

1  have  a  great  deal  of  respect  for  the  porcupine,  and  I  have  noticed  that 
his  fellow  animals  have  a  like  feeling  toward  him.  In  the  first  place,  he 
doesn't  meddle  wfth  the  affairs  of  others  and  he  very  quickly  resents  any 
attempt  to  meddle  with  his  affairs.  He  rarely  hunts  for  a  fight  and  he  never 
runs  away  from  one.  In  all  of  the  animal  kingdom  I  do  not  believe  there  is 
a  more  fearless  creature. 

Conscious  of  his  own  powers  of  defense  he  seems  to  have  a  contempt 
for  other  animals.  In  Africa  and  India  lions  and  leopards  attack  him  and 
often  kill  him,  but  only  after  a  hard  fight,  in  which  they  receive  many 
wounds,  which  sometimes  prove  fatal,  from  his  long  spines,  called  quills.  In 
Western  America  I  have  known  a  mountain  lion  (puma)  toi  die  of  wounds 
received  in  a  fight  with  a  porcupine.  The  wounds  suppurated,  causing 
blood-poisoning,  resulting  in  death.  The  other  animals  know  that  the  por- 
cupine is  not  afraid  of  them  and  that  he  is  always  ready  to  fight — hence  they 
respect  him  and  usually  leave  him  alone. 

The  porcupine  has  long  been  rendered  famous  among  men  by  the  extra- 
ordinary armory  of  pointed  spears  which  it  bears  upon  its  back,  and  which 
it  was  formerly  fabled  to  launch  at  its  foes  with  fatal  precision.  This  remark- 
able power  of  the  rugged  little  creature  has  been  thoroughly  exploited  and  is 
attributable  to  a  real  fact,  of  which  few  writers  take  cognizance.  When 
attacked  the  porcupine  prepares  for  defense  by  rolling  itself  into  a  ball, 


211 


212 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  PORCUPINE. 


exposing  the  bristles,  but  with  its  feet  ready  for  action.  When  the  assailant 
has  approached  sufhciently  near,  the  active  little  animal  darts  forward, 
hurling  itself  against  the  attacking  animal.  The  spear-like  quills  find  lodge- 
ment in  the  skin  of  the  assailant,  causing  in  every  case  a  hasty  retreat. 

This  animal  inhabits  many  parts  of  the  world,  being  found  in  Africa, 
Southern  Europe  and  India.  The  spines,  or  quills,  with  which  it  is  furnished, 
vary  considerably  in  length,  the  longest  quills  being  flexible  and  not  capable 
of  doing  much  harm  to  an  opponent.  Beneath  these  is  a  plentiful  supply 
of  shorter  spines,  from  five  to  ten  inches  in  length,  w^hich  are  the  really 
effective  weapons  of  this  imposing  array.  Their  hold  on  the  skin  is  very 
slight,  so  that  when  they  have  been  struck  into  a  foe,  they  remain  fixed  in 


PORCUPINES   OF   SIAM. 


the  wound,  and,  unless  immediately  removed,  work  sad  woe  to  the  sufTerer. 
For  the  quill  is  so  constructed  that  it  gradually  bores  its  way  into  the  flesh, 
burrowing  deeper  at  every  movement,  often  causing  the  death  of  the 
wounded  creature. 

In  Africa  and  India  leopards  and  tigers  have  frequently  been  killed,  in 
v/hose  flesh  were  pieces  of  porcupine  quills  that  had  penetrated  deeply  into 
the  body,  and  had  even  caused  suppuration  to  take  place.  In  one  instance, 
a  tiger  was  found  to  have  his  paws,  ears  and  head  filled  with  the  spines  of  a 
porcupine,  which  he  had  been  vainly  endeavoring  to  kill. 

As  I  have  said,  conscious  of  its  powers,  the  porcupine  is  not  at  all  an 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  PORCUPINE. 


213 


aggressive  animal,  and  seldom,  if  ever,  makes  an  unprovoked  attack.  But 
if  irritated  or  wounded,  it  becomes  at  once  a  very  unpleasant  antagonist,  as 
it  spreads  out  its  bristles  widely,  and  rapidly  backs  upon  its  opponent. 

I  have  witnessed  the  successful  defense  of  the  animal  on  a  number  of 
occasions.  Being-  one  moonlight  night  with  a  party  in  search  of  porcupines 
with  dogs,  we  had  not  been  out  long  ere  we  discovered  a  hole  inhabited  by 
these  quadrupeds.  A  dog  was  immediately  put  to  it.  The  animal  had  not 
gone  many  paces,  when  he  howled  and  retreated  with  several  quills  in  his 
body.  One  in  particular  was  driven  an  inch  into  his  right  leg.  The  porcu- 
pine, on  the  approach  of  the  dog,  drew  itself  into  the  shape  of  a  ball,  and, 
darting  forward  with  all  its  strength,  drove  its  quills  into  the  dog.    We  were 


PORCUPINES   OF    MOROCCO. 


forced  to  give  up  the  fight,  and  the  porcupine  saved  his  life  by  the  desperate 
fight  made  against  our  dogs. 

The  total  length  of  the  common  porcupine  is  about  three  feet  six  inches, 
the  tail  being  about  six  inches  long.  Its  gait  is  plantigrade,  slow  and  clumsy, 
and  as  it  walks  its  long  quills  shake  and  rattle  in  a  very  curious  manner.  Its 
muzzle  is  thick  and  heavy,  and  its  eyes  small  and  piglike. 

The  American  Indians  use  the  quills  extracted  from  the  Canada  porcu- 
pine, a  species  living  on  trees,  for  ornamenting  various  parts  of  their  dress, 
especially  their  moccasins  or  skin  shoes.  The  length  of  this  species  is  about 
two  feet.    It  is  found  in  many  parts  of  the  United  States  as  well  as  in  Canada. 


214  THE  STORY  OF  THE  PORCUPINE. 

It  is  capable  of  depressing  the  bristling  spears,  and  can  squeeze  itself  through 
an  opening  which  would  appear  at  first  sight  to  be  hardly  large  enough  to 
permit  the  passage  of  an  animal  of  only  half  its  size. 

When  one  of  these  animals  has  selected  and  settled  himself  in  a  tree  to 
his  liking,  he  may  not  leave  it,  day  or  night,  until  he  has  denuded  it  of  the 
whole  of  its  foliage.  I  have  seen  many  hemlocks  thus  completely  stripped, 
not  a  green  twig  remaining,  even  on  the  smallest  bough.  It  seems  incred- 
ible that  so  large  and  clumsy  an  animal  should  be  able  to  climb  out  far 
enoueh  on  the  branches  of  trees  to  reach  the  terminal  leaves;  but  he  dis- 
tributes  his  weight  by  bringing  several  branches  together,  and  then,  with 
his  powerful  paws,  bends  back  their  ends  and  passes  them  through  his  mouth. 
When  high  in  the  tree-tops  he  is  often  passed  unnoticed,  mistaken,  if  seen 
at  all,  for  the  nest  of  a  crow  or  a  hawk. 

The  Mexican  tree-porcupine  belongs  to  a  family  which  has  hair  so  long 
as  almost  to  conceal  the  spines.  It  is  easily  distinguished  by  the  uniform 
black  color  of  the  fur,  and  also  by  the  presence  of  numerous  spiny  bristles 
mingled  with  the  hair  of  the  lower  parts  of  the  body.  These  bristles  arise 
in  small  clusters,  and  being  white  for  the  greater  part  of  their  length,  form 
star-like  spots  among  the  dark  fur.  These  bristles  and  the  spines  on  the 
back  are  black  at  the  tips. 

This  species  inhabits  the  forests  on  the  eastern  coasts  of  Mexico.  Noth- 
ing special  is  recorded  of  its  habits;  but  from  observations  made  on  captive 
individuals  it  is  probable  that  none  of  the  tree-porcupines  ever  drink.  It 
is  stated  that  in  those  long-haired  species  in  which  the  fur  is  of  a  grayish 
tint,  the  general  appearance  of  the  animal  when  reposing  on  the  arm  of 
a  tree  closely  resembles  a  gnarled  and  lichen-clad  knot. 

The  brush-tailed  porcupine,  of  which  one  species  inhabits  Western  and 
Central  Africa,  and  the  other  Burma  and  the  Malayan  region,  are  much 
smaller  and  more  rat-like  animals  than  the  true  porcupines,  from  which 
they  are  distinguished  at  a  glance. 

A  species  of  porcupine  has  been  discovered  in  Borneo,  distmguished 
by  its  short  spines. 

From  the  large  size  of  their  teeth  and  jaws,  porcupines  have  great 
gnawing  powers,  and  the  writer  has  seen  in  India  tusk  of  elephants  which 
have  been  half-eaten  by  these  animals  as  they  lay  in  the  jungles.  The  flesh 
of  porcupines  is  excellent  eating,  and  resembles  something  between  pork 
and  veal  in  flavor. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  WAPI 


On  the  Semliki  River,  near  the  borders  of  the  great  Congo  forest,  I 
first  heard  of  and  later  saw  one  of  the  queerest  animals  in  the  known  world. 
The  natives  called  it  the  wapi,  but  a  naturalist  of  the  present  day,  who  has 
learned  much  about  it,  has  given  it  the  name  of  okapi. 

A  little  to  the  east  end  of  the  middle  of  Africa  is  a  chain  of  lakes  running 
nearly  north  and  south.  The  great  Lake  Tanganyika  is  the  southernmost, 
north  of  this  is  Lake  Kivu,  whose  waters  flow  south  into  Tanganyika,  and 
then  passing  over  a  high  volcanic  range  we  come  to  the  lake  known  as  the 
Albert  Edward  Nyanza,  stretching  northward  from  the  shores  of  which 
are  Mountains  of  the  Moon,  the  Rewrenzori  range.  Keeping  in  the  valley 
to  the  west  of  this  range  the  traveler  passes  along  the  Semliki  River,  whose 
waters  flow  northward,  and  eventually  reaches  the  Albert  Nyanza,  the  source 
of  the  Nile. 

The  region  of  the  Semliki  River  is  in  many  respects  a  most  remarkable 
one=  A  few  miles  east  from  its  banks  are  snow  mountains  25,000  feet 
high.  At  no  great  distance  on  the  west  are  sources  of  the  Aruwimi,  the 
great  tributary  of  the  Congo  River.  To  its  west,  also,  for  hundreds  of  miles, 
stretch  the  northeastern  extensions  of  the  great  Congo  forest.  Along  the 
shores  of  the  Semliki  the  British  protectorate  of  Uganda  and  the  Congo  Free 
State  meet  one  another.     It  is  here  that  Stanley  and   I  saw  the  distant 

215 


216  THE    STORY    OF    THE    WAPI. 

Rewrenzori  range  and  heard  from  natives  of  the  existence  in  the  forest  of 
a  large  quadruped,  neither  antelope  nor  zebra,  and  as  large  as  a  horse. 

It  is  to  this  region  that  Sir  Harry  Johnston,  High  Commissioner  of 
Uganda,  traveled  in  the  autumn  of  1900  in  order  to  explore  the  confines  of 
his  protectorate  before  returning  home.  Sir  Harry  is  an  ardent  naturalist, 
a  really  great  collector,  an  observer,  and  an  artist.  Many  a  new  bird,  beast 
and  plant  from  Kilimanjaro,  Nyassaland  and  Uganda  do  men  of  science  owe 
to  him.  On  the  present  occasion  he  was  eager  to  obtain  new  things  and  was 
well  equipped  for  the  purpose  and  well  provided  with  men.  He  has  sent 
rich  collections  to  the  Natural  History  Museum  as  a  result  of  this  journey. 
He  was  especially  anxious  to  see  and  if  possible  secure  the  enigmatical 
quadruped  which  I  had  reported  to  exist  in  these  forests. 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  larger  quadrupeds  live  in  the  open 
prairie  or  frequent  only  the  borders  of  the  African  forests,  and,  further, 
that  few  of  the  natives  excepting  the  peculiar  dwarfs,  the  Akkas,  penetrate 
far  into  the  gloomy  depths  of  these  vast  tree-grown  regions.  Sir  Harry 
himself  traveled  for  a  week  in  the  dark,  steamy  recesses  of  this  equatorial 
forest.  He  describes  the  sense  of  mystery  and  oppression  with  which  the 
solemn  gloom,  the  choking  heat,  and  strange  silence  filled  him  as  well-nigh 
overpowering.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  blacks  avoid  these 
primeval  fastnesses. 

It  is  among  the  trunks  of  these  forests  trees,  whose  foliage  is  densely 
woven  overhead  so  as  to  exclude  the  light  of  day,  that  the  strange  animial 
of  which  Sir  Harry  was  in  search  lives,  coming  here  and  there  to  "clear- 
ings" due  to  the  decay  and  fall  of  the  trees,  in  order  to  feed  on  the  foliage. 

It  might  well  be  that  this  dark  vapor-laden  forest  had  persisted  from 
remote  geologic  ages,  and  that  strange  animals,  survivors  of  pliocene  and 
miocene  times,  still  harbored  there  unknown  to  man,  unchanged,  cut  off 
from  the  struggles  of  the  outer  world. 

Sir  Harry  failed  to  get  a  sight  of  the  animal,  but  he  obtained  from  na- 
tives two  bands  made  from  its  skin,  and  learned  that  the  animal  was  called 
by  them  "okapi."  The  pieces  of  skin  had  the  hair  preserved,  and  this  was 
colored  very  dark  brown  and  white  in  alternate  bands,  like  the  pelt  of  a 
zebra.  They  were  sent  home  and  were  considered  by  Dr.  P.  L.  Sclater,  the 
secretary  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London,  to  indicate  a  new  kind  of 
zebra,  to  which  he  gave  the  name  Equus  Johnstoni. 

At  a  station  of  the  Congo  Free  State,  not  far  from  the  Semliki  River, 
Sir  Harry  Johnston  met  the  officer  in  charge,  a  Mr.  Ericsson.    This  gentle- 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    WAPL 


217 


man  promised  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  obtain  a  specimen  or  specimens 
of  the  okapi  for  Sir  Harry  from  the  natives  of  his  district.  Some  months 
later,  when  Sir  Harry  Johnston  had  returned  to  the  more  civilized  portion 
of  the  Uganda  protectorate,  he  received  by  messengers  from  Mr.  Ericsson 
a  complete  skin,  including  the  hoofs,  and  two  skulls  of  the  okapi. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  facts  in  this  story  is  that  Sir  Harry,  with- 


THE   WAPI    OR    OKAPI. 


out  access  to  books  and  specimens  for  comparison,  such  as  men  of  science 
have  at  their  command  in  European  museums,  immediately  determined 
with  complete  accuracy  the  nature  of  the  okapi.  He  made — and  has  re- 
cently published — a  sketch  of  the  animal,  showing  it  as  he  supposed,  from 
the  examination  of  skin  and  skull,  it  would  have  appeared  when  living. 
Its  cloven  hoofs  showed  that  it  was  not  of  the  zebra  tribe,  but  related  to 


218  THE   STORY   OF   THE    WAPI. 

the  antelopes  and  giraffes;  and  Sir  Harry  went  so  far  as  to  say  that  it  was 
a  short-necked  hornless  giraffe — similar  to  the  Helladotherium,  the  bones 
of  which  have  been  found  at  Pikermi,  near  Athens,  and  were  reconstructed 
as  a  complete  skeleton  by  Professor  Gaudry,  of  Paris.  Sir  Harry  suggested 
that  the  okapi  must  be  considered  as  a  living  survival  of  that  animal,  and 
assigned  it  to  the  genus  Helladotherium. 

This  was  extraordinarily  correct  and  sound  reasoning.  It  has  been  abun- 
dantly confirmed  by  careful  study  of  the  specimen  sent  to  London  ex- 
cepting that  it  has  seemed  necessary  to  separate  the  okapi,  on  account  of 
some  minor  features  in  the  structure  of  the  skull,  from  Helladotherium. 
The  okapi  is  now  known  as  Ocapia  Johnstoni. 

Sir  Harry  Johnston  at  once  dispatched  the  okapi's  skin  and  two  skulls 
to  the  Natural  History  Museum. 

He  rightly  declared  this  to  be  the  most  remarkable  discovery  in  the 
zoology  of  Africa  made  in  the  last  hundred  years. 

The  photographs  here  reproduced  show  the  animal  as  set  up  by  Mr. 
Ward  and  an  enlarged  view  of  the  head.  The  shoulder  is  higher  as  com- 
pared with  the  rump  than  in  Sir  Harry's  restoration,  and  the  neck  is  some- 
what longer  than  it  seemed  to  him,  and  straight  as  is  that  of  a  giraffe. 
Probably  the  okapi,  like  the  giraffe,  carries  its  neck  habitually  sloping- 
forward  so  as  to  give  a  continuous  straight  line  from  the  back  of  the  head 
to  the  root  of  the  tail.  A  very  interesting  feature  is  the  presence  of  two 
little  tufts  on  the  forehead,  which  correspond  to  and  represent  the  horns 
of  the  giraffe,  though  they  cannot  themselves  be  called  horns.  An  ex- 
amination of  the  skulls  of  the  okapi  show  that  there  is  no  bony  outgrowth 
corresponding  to  these  knobs,  although  the  skull  is  raised  on  each  side 
above  the  orbit  into  a  small  domelike  eminence. 

The  coloring  and  marking  of  the  hairy  hide  of  the  okapi  is  very  peculiar. 
Its  pattern  is  well  shown  in  our  illustration.  The  body  is  of  a  rich  maroon- 
brown  color. 

The  tract  of  forest  inhabited  by  the  okapi  is  about  as  big  as  the  prin- 
cipality of  Wales,  and  there  may  be  some  2,000  or  3,000  head  living  there. 
It  is  undoubtedly  a  true  inhabitant  of  the  forest,  elusive  and  difficult  to  dis- 
cover. Probably  we  shall  soon  hear  more  of  it  and  receive  additional  speci- 
mens, though  it  is  not  likely,  on  account  of  its  frequenting  the  forest  depths, 
to  be  threatened  or  exterminated  by  too  eager  sportsmen  for  long  years  to 
come. 


THE  AFRICAN  JACKAL 

The  Ancestor  of  Our  Dog — Hunts  at  Night — Harmless  but  Kills  Chickens,  Lambs,  Rabbits 
and  Small  Antelopes. 


In  the  Stillness  of  the  night  the  members  of  the  American  expedition  of 
hunters  and  naturalists  often  heard  near  their  camp  on  the  African  steppe  the 
mournful  voice  of  the  jackal.  It  could  still  be  heard  in  the  early  morning 
long  after  all  other  nocturnal  marauders  had  retreated  to  their  hiding  places. 
The  jackals  are  found  everywhere  on  the  velt,  in  daytime  as  well  as  at  night, 
and  are  not  only  seen  in  company  with  tlie  hyena,  but  they  are  sometimes  also 
associated  with  the  lion  and  the  leopard,  who,  when  these  followers  grow  too 
familiar,  or  when  other  food  is  scarce,  do  not  hesitate  to  turn  on  them  and 
eat  them. 

The  jackal  is  a  cunning,  wary  animal  and,  in  the  fairy  tales  and  fables  of 
the  tribes  of  the  steppe,  plays  the  same  part  which  we  have  assigtied  to  our 
"Reynard,"  the  fox.  being  the  embodiment  of  cunning,  smartness  and  agility — 
the  animal  which  outwits  all  the  rest. 

Several  varieties  of  this  beast  are  met  with  in  different  parts  of  the  world. 

In  India  lives  a  wolf-like  creature  called  the  jackal,  which  gives  a  peculiar 
wailing  howL  As  the  animal  is  known  to  feed  on  dead  bodies,  the  Anglo- 
Indian  version  of  its  howl  is  as  follows:  "Dead  Hindoo!  where,  where, 
where!"  The  jackal  has  another  howl  or  cry  used  only  when  in  the  vicinity 
of  a  tiger.  I  have  heard  both  cries  and  they  are  the  most  peculiar  that  I  can 
recall.  There  is  a  fable,  religiously  believed  by  the  natives  of  India,  that  the 
jackal  acts  as  a  scout  for  the  lion,  and  that  the  king  of  beasts  shares  the  prey 
with  his  smaller  friend.  This  took  its  origin  from  the  fact  that  the  lion, 
after  eating  his  fill,  leaves  the  remainder  of  the  carcass,  and  the  skulking 
jackal,  finding  it,  makes  his  meal  from  the  leavings. 

The  jackal  is  well  known  both  as  a  prowler  and  a  scavenger,  in  which 
capacity  he  is  useful,  and  as  a  disturber  of  our  midnight  rest  by  his  horrible 
yells,  in  which  peculiarity  he  is  to  be  looked  upon  as  an  unmitigated  nui- 
sance. He  is  mischievous,  too,  occasionally,  and  will  commit  havoc  among 
poultry  and  young  kids  and  lambs;  but,  as  a  general  rule,  he  is  a  harmless, 
timid  creature,  and  when  animal  food  fails,  he  will  take  readily  to  vegetables. 
The  jackal  sometimes  feeds  on  dead  bodies,  which  it  digs  out  of  the  shallow 
graves  made  by  the  natives,  and  I  once  came  across,  in  the  vicinity  of  a 
jungle  village,  the  dead  body  of  a  child  that  had  been  unearthed  by  a  jackal. 


219 


220 


THE  STORY   OF   THE  JACKAL. 


One  of  these  would  answer  to  its  name,  and  was  remarkable  for  the 
cleanliness  of  its  habits,  being  particularly  averse  to  getting  its  feet  wet  by 
rain,  seeking  during  showers  the  shelter  of  the  huts.  As  a  rule,  it  never  sat 
down  on  its  haunches  after  the  manner  of  a  dog,  but  would  He  at  full  length,, 
with  its  nose  resting  between  its  fore-paws,  and  would  generally  select  a 
sunny  spot,  where  it  lay  blinking  in  the  sunlight. 

The  black-backed  jackal  is  a  very  distinct  African  species.     The  adults 


THE   EUROPEAN    JACKAL. 


of  both  sexes  are  brightly  colored,  the  sides  of  the  body  being  red,  the  limbs 
and  the  upper  part  of  the  tail  reddish  yellow;  while  the  back  of  the  body 
and  the  end  of  the  tail  are  black.  The  individual  hairs  of  the  body  are  ringed 
with  black  and  white  or  red  and  white,  so  as  to  produce  a  speckled  appear- 
ance in  the  fur.  The  under  parts  of  the  body  and  the  inner  sides  of  the  limbs 
are  nearly  white,  the  ears  and  part  of  the  face  being  yellowish  brown.  This 
striking  coloration  occurs,  however,  only  in  the  full-grown  jackals,  the  fur 


THE  STORY   OF  THE  JACKAL. 


221 


of  the  young  being  a  uniform  dusky  brown.    The  dark  band  on  the  neck  so 
often  found  in  the  common  jackal  is  absent.    The  ears  are  very  long. 

This  jackal  is  found  both  in  the  open  country  and  in  bush  jungle.  In 
the  sandy  regions  on  the  shores  of  the  Red  Sea  it  is  to  be  found  frequently 
in  the  small  thickets  covering  the  banks  of  the  ravines,  which  swarm  with 
hares  and  pangolins,  upon  which  the  jackal  feeds.  At  night  it  visits  the 
villages  of  the  natives,  and  in  Somaliland  it  is  stated  to  bite  off  the  fat  tails 


ARABIAN    WOLF    JACKAL 

of  the  sheep.    In  the  Sudan  it  lives  chiefly  upon  the  smaller  antelopes,  mice, 
jerboas  and  other  rodents. 

The  Asiatic  jackals  vary  considerably  in  point  of  size,  the  length  of 
the  head  and  body  varying  from  two  tO'  two  and  one-half  feet.  Its  general 
color  is  a  pale  grayish,  with  a  larger  or  smaller  admixture  of  black  on  the 
upper  parts.  The  under  parts  are  paler,  and  the  muzzle,  ears  and  the 
outer  sides  of  the  limbs  more  so  than  the  rest.     The  reddish  brown  hairs 


999 

t-J  hj  r>J 


THE  STORY   OF   THE  JACKAL, 


of  the  tail  have  long  black  tips,  thus  forming  a  distinct  black  tip  to  the 
tail  itself.  The  African  variety  is  of  rather  larger  size,  with  relatively  longer 
ears;  and  the  sides  of  the  body  are  grayer.  Occasionally  yellow,  black  and 
white  varieties  of  the  jackal  have  been  met  with,  the  latter  being  true 
albinos. 

The  jackal  ranges  from  the  southeastern  countries  of  Europe  to  India 
and  Ceylon;  thence  it  extends  through  Assam  to  Northern  Pegu  and  the 
neighborhood  of  Mandalay,  although  it  is  much  less  common  east  of  the 
Bay  of  Bengal  than  in  India.  In  Northern  Africa  it  inhabits  Egypt  and 
Abvssinia,  and  the  districts  to  the  north  of  the  Sahara.     In  the  Himalaya 


JACKALS    OF    SIAM 


it  ascends  to  from  three  to  four  thousand  feet  above  the  sea  level.  Through- 
out India  it  may  be  found  indifferently  in  hilly  or  plain  country,  in  forest 
or  open  districts,  or  in  large  cities. 

Although  jackals  are  frequently  in  the  habit  of  going  singly  or  in  pairs, 
they  often  associate  in  packs,  which  may  be  of  considerable  size;  these 
assemblages  being  more  frequent  at  night  than  during  the  daytime.  In 
India  the  jackal's  wanderings  are  by  no  means  confined  to  the  night. 

In  extremely  hot  weather  they  appear  to  suffer  much,  and  may  be  found 
either  lying  in  the  water,  where  they  spend  most  of  the  day,  or  sneaking 
away  therefrom,  instead  of  being,  as  usual,  hidden  away  in  their  holes. 


THE  MONKEY  FAMILY 

Roosevelt  Bags  a  White-Tailed  Colobus  Monkey — Facts  About  This  Curious  Animal — 
The  Gorilla,  the  Chimpanzee  and  Other  More  or  Less  Manlike  Apes — Africa  the 
Paradise  of  the  Monkey. 


When  in  search  for  big  game  in  the  Sotiic  district  around  picturesque 
snow-capped  Mount  Kenia  the  American  hunting  expedition  came  across 
one  of  the  most  interesting  varieties  of  the  great  family  of  monkeys — the 
colobus.  Mounted  on  his  faithful  Tranquillity  the  Colonel  was  traversing 
the  endless  undulating  expanses  of  grassy  country,  adorned  by  giant  trees, 
which  in  this  volcanic  region  meet  the  eye  and  now  and  then  change  into 
barren  plains,  grass-covered  plateaus,  and  deep  valleys  wedged  in  between 
craggy  ridges  and  naked  rocks.  He  was  in  the  beautiful  Rift  valley.  Count- 
less voices  of  the  wilderness  resounded  around  him.  From  all  sides,  from 
every  spot,  every  direction  came  cries,  mingled  with  curious  chirpings  of  un- 
known birds,  and  loud-sounding  trumpet-notes  from  brightly  colored  winged 
songsters  break  on  the  ear.  The  next  moment  every  sound  dies  away  and 
there  is  deathlike  silence  all  around. 

But  suddenly  there  broke  forth  a  remarkable  sound,  rising  and  again  fall- 
ing, as  the  ex-President  listened,  a  strange  music  of  a  most  peculiar  kind. 
It  was  the  chatter  of  the  colobus  monkeys,  a  sound  that  cannot  be  described 
in  words.  A  party  of  these  wonderful  creatures  seemed  to  be  in  good  humor, 
for  their  song  came  to  our  hunter  in  chorus  unceasingly,  and  in  rising 
strength,  now  swelling  strongly  out,  now  quietly  dying  away.  The  Colonel 
selected  a  fine  old  male  for  the  National  Museum,  and  it  tumbled  down 
from  the  branches  of  a  tall  banana-palm,  pierced  through  the  brain  by  a  swift 
rifle  bullet,  the  whole  herd  precipitously  set  off  at  a  scare  and  disappeared  in 
the  thicket,  where  they  could  no  more  be  reached. 

The  white-tailed  colobus,  thus  killed  by  Mr.  Roosevelt,  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  members  of  the  monkey  family.  It  is  keenly  hunted  for  the  sake 
of  its  beautiful  fur,  and  its  peculiar  song  often  betrays  it  to  the  hunter.  It 
is  shy  and  retiring,  lives  in  the  tops  of  high  trees  and  feeds  chiefly  on  leaves. 

The  colobus  monkeys  are  large,  black  and  white-colored  animals  with 
long  and  silky  hair,  and  white  brushy  tails,  their  bearded  faces  having  a 
serious  and  often  sad  expression.  They  are  found  in  goodly  numbers  in  the 
Mount  Kenia  region  and  in  the  dense  forests  of  the  Mera  and  Kilimanjaro 
mountain,  the  snow-clad  roof  of  the  African  Continent.  Our  illustration 
shows  the  highest  peak  of  this  majestic  mountain,  which  rises  20,000  feet  above 

223 


224 


THE  MONKEY  FAMILY. 


the  level  of  the  sea,  at  which  height  it  is  devoid  of  any  life  owing  to  the  fierce- 
ness of  the  active  elements  and  the  perpetual  snow,  although  three  degree:; 


From  photograph.  MOUNT  Kilimanjaro. 

south  of  the  equator.  Another  illustration  represents  five  picked  beauties  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  dense  forests  at  the  foot  of  the  same  mountain.  The 
native  members  of  Roosevelt's  safari  told  him  that  these  girls  are  given  in 
marriage  for  two  good  milking  cows  and  several  jars  of  native  beer  made 
out  of  bananas,  and  wherewith  the  wedding  is  celebrated.  "In  our  country," 
one  of  the  bearers  said,  "a  young  man's  pride  is  in  having  many  wives — for 
they  represent  his  wealth  which  they  produce  by  working  for  him  from  sun- 
rise to  sundown." 

It  is  in  close  proximity  of  these  children  of  nature  that  the  colobus  monkeys 
are  living.  They  can  be  seen  feeding  in  the  morning  and  evening,  stripping 
the  twigs  of  their  leaves  with  their  thumbless  hands,  eating  greedily,  and 
bellowing  all  the  time.  They  are  arboreal  in  their  habits,  living  in  small 
troops  in  the  tops  of  gigantic  trees,  preferring  those  which  are  overgrown 
with  beardgrass,  the  whitish-grey  color  of  which  blends  with  the  fur  of  the 
monkeys.  When  the  colobus  jumps  from  branch  to  branch  and  from  tree- 
top  to  treetop,  extending  the  long,  white  tail  and  spreading  the  hair  of  the 


From  photograph. 

COLOBUS    MONKEY. 
A  SPECIMEN   OF  THIS   ANIMAL   WAS    KILLED   BY   COL.   ROOSEVELT   IN   RIFT   VALLEY. 

235 


226 


THE  MONKEY  FAMILY, 


body,  it  looks  as  if  the  beardgrass  were  becoming  alive  and  assuming  animal 
form  to  escape  into  the  darkness  of  the  deeper  forest. 

Mr.  Roosevelt  noticed  that  this  tree  monkey  is  not  adapted  to  walking, 


From  a  recent  photograph. 

FIVE    BEAUTIES    IN    THE    KILIMANJARO    DISTRICT. 

and  is  seldom  seen  on  the  ground.  It  need  not  even  go  to  a  river  to  quench 
its  thirst,  for  it  finds  plenty  of  water  stored  up  in  the  hollows  of  the  trees. 
The  colobus  loves  the  solitude  of  the  woods  and  is  rarely  seen  near  human 
habitations.  Where  it  is  not  hunted,  it  is  full  of  curiosity,  and  not  over- 
shy.  But  its  fur,  unfortunately,  is  a  much-desired  article  of  trade,  and  there- 
fore the  animal  is  pursued  and  its  numbers  greatly  diminished  by  European 
and  native  hunters,  who  armed  with  breech-loading  rifles  have  almost  ex- 
terminated it  in  many  of  its  favorite  haunts,  so  that  a  few  years  ago  it  took 
an  experienced  African  hunter  three  days  to  secure  three  specimens  for  a 


A   MONKEY-BRIDGE.      MONKEYS   CROSSING  A   RIVER. 


237 


228  THE   STORY   OF   THE  MONKEY. 

European  museum.  Our  former  President  may,  therefore,  consider  him- 
self fortunate  in  having  bagged  one  of  these  rare  animals.  In  a  not  far  dis- 
tant future  it,  no  doubt,  will  be  too  late,  for  the  war  of  extermination  has 
been  carried  on  even  to  the  remotest  mountain  forests  to  satisfy  the  demand 
for  the  fur  of  the  colobus.  An  African  traveler  found  hundreds  of  skins 
ready  for  shipment  to  Europe  by  Greek  and  Indian  traders,  where  they  are 
used  as  trimmings  and  linings  of  ladies'  winter  coats.  A  missionary  told 
him  that  he  himself  had  hunted  eighty  animals  within  a  month  to  sell  their 
fur,  for  which  he  received  from  one  to  two  dollars  apiece.  While  its  fur 
was  "in  fashion"  hundreds  of  thousands  of  the  animals  were  exported  to 
Europe  to  satisfy  a  passing  fancy.  Before  the  European  invasion  the  na- 
tives hunted  the  colobus  only  because  its  fur  was  used  by  their  warriors  to 
adorn  their  ankles. 

Now,  when  Mr.  Roosevelt  is  shipping  both  living  and  dead  African 
animals  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution  and  to  zoological  gardens  in  many 
of  our  big  cities,  it  may  be  of  interest  to  our  readers  to  know  that  it  has  not 
always  been  possible  to  do  so. 

In  former  years  young  colobus  monkeys  were  captured  to  be  raised  and 
sent  to  Europe,  but  none  of  the  young  animals  reached  their  destination 
alive,  says  the  famous  African  traveler.  "I  therefore,"  he  continues,  "de- 
cided to  capture  an  adult  colobus,  and  I  succeeded  in  slightly  wounding  and 
in  capturing  an  adult  animal.  For  some  time  I  supplied  the  monkey  with  his 
favorite  food,  fresh  leaves  and  sprouts  of  the  fugara.  He  refused  any  other 
nourishment.  At  last  I  coaxed  him  into  taking  bananas.  I  selected  the 
strongest  and  most  capable  of  my  blacks  to  take  care  of  the  colobus  on  our 
march  to  the  coast.  It  was  a  comical  sight  to  observe  the  tall  black  fellow 
marching  along,  protecting  with  an  improvised  parasol  his  protege,  who  was 
tied  to  him  by  a  leather  strap.  Once  in  awhile  they  would  have  a  'falling 
out.'  The  whole  caravan  then  stopped  and  looked  on,  cheering  and  teasing 
until  the  bearer  and  his  charge  had  'made  up'  again.  My  troubles  with  the 
delicate  creature  were  endless.  It  was  not  only  hard  to  select  suitable  food 
for  the  monkey,  but  he  occasionally  showed  symptoms  of  fever,  which  I 
counteracted  by  dosing  him  with  quinine.  At  last  I  got  him  safely  to  the 
coast  and  transported  him  to  Berlin,  where  he  lived  two  years  in  the  zoological 
gardens,  before  he  fell  a  victim  to  the  changed  conditions  of  climate  and 
food,  and,  no  doubt,  also  to  homesickness  for  his  native  woods."  He  further 
tells  that  on  another  occasion  he  brought  with  him  three  colobus  monkeys 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  MONKEY.  229 

from  East  Africa  to  Europe,  only  one  of  which  reached  its  destination,  where, 
however,  she  died  three  days  after  her  arrival. 

The  greatest  shipment  of  wild  animals  direct  from  the  velt  and  jungle 
of  Africa  is  the  gift  of  five  lions,  a  leopard,  and  a  number  of  other  game, 
unloaded  at  Washington  from  the  German  steamer  Malkefels  a  few  days 
before  Christmas  and  presented  to  the  National  Museum  by  former  President 
Roosevelt.  The  work  of  unloading  the  beasts  was  a  ticklish  undertaking  for 
the  longshoremen,  and  a  large  crowd  watched  the  operation. 

The  animals  were  presented  to  Colonel  Roosevelt  by  an  African  ranchman, 
who  captured  them  when  they  were  young.  The  five  lions  and  the  leopard 
were  shipped  direct  to  Washington.  The  other  animals,  including  two  harte- 
beasts,  two  elands,  one  gazelle,  one  wart-hog,  and  one  waterbuck,  were  taken 
to  the  Philadelphia  zoological  gardens,  where  they  remained  in  quarantine  for 
fifteen  days,  after  which  they  were  sent  to  the  National  Capital. 

Previously  several  casks  and  cases  had  been  shipped,  containing  skulls, 
bones,  and  skins  of  two  impallas.  We  will  now  introduce  some  of  the  most 
interesting  members  of  the  monkey  family  to  our  readers. 

The  proverb  "mischievous  as  a  monkey"  reveals  the  estimation  in  which 
monkeys  commonly  are  held.  The  more  or  less  human-like  form,  the  fre- 
quent tendency  to  assume  an  upright  position,  coupled  with  their  hand-like 
feet  are  amply  sufficient  to  distinguish  the  group  to  which  these  animals 
belong  from  all  others. 

The  peculiar  traits  of  the  monkey,  which  have  made  this  class  of  animals 
the  most  interesting  to  the  children  and  a  source  of  amusement  to  their 
elders,  are  an  interesting  study. 

A  neighbor  of  mine  had  a  monkey  of  which  he  was  very  fond  and  the 
little  pet  used  to  love  to  sit  on  his  master's  shoulder.  It  showed,  neverthe- 
less, a  great  dislike  to  strangers,  and  was  not  on  good  terms  with  any  other 
member  of  my  friend's  household.  My  neighbor  had  started  from  home 
one  morning  without  taking  the  monkey  with  him,  and  the  little  creature 
haviup-  missed  its  friend,  and  concluded,  as  it  seemed,  that  he  would  be 
sure  to  come  to  me,  both  being  in  the  habit  of  paying  me  a  daily  visit 
together,  came  straight  to  my  dwelling,  taking  a  short  cut  over  gardens, 
trees,  and  thickets,  instead  of  going  the  roundabout  way  of  the  street.  It 
had  never  done  this  before,  and  we  knew  the  route  it  had  taken  only  from 
a  neighbor  having  watched  its  movements.  On  arriving  at  my  house,  and 
not  finding  its  master,  it  climbed  to  the  top  of  my  table,  and  sat  with  an  air 
of  quiet  resignation  waiting  for  him.     He  failed  to  come,  and  after  a  wait 


230 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


of  several  hours  it  returned  home.  Disappointed  there  it  again  came  to  me, 
and  this  time  its  master  was  there.  The  Httle  creature  was  overjoyed  and 
ckmg  to  him  as  a  child  would  to  its  mother. 

When  at  Malwa  in  Northern  India,  which  is  one  of  the  lakes  where  I 
spent  a  day,  I  was  warned  that,  in  passing  under  a  landslip  which  slopes 
down  to  the  lake,  I  should  be  liable  to  have  stones  thrown  at  me  by  monkeys. 
Regarding  this  as  being  possibly  a  traveler's  tale,  I  made  a  particular  point 


MONKEYS   STONING    MR.    SEYMOUR. 


of  going  tO'  the  spot  in  order  to  see  what  could  havp  given  rise  to  it.  As  I 
approached  the  base  of  the  landslip  on  the  north  side  of  the  lake,  I  saw  a 
number  of  brown  monkeys  rush  to  the  sides  and  across  the  top  of  the  slip, 
and  presently  pieces  of  loosened  stone  and  shale  came  tumbling  down  near 
where  I  stood.  I  fully  satisfied  myself  that  this  was  not  merely  accidental; 
for  I  distinctly  saw  one  monkey  industriously,  with  both  forepaws,  and 
with  obvious  malice,  pushing  the  loose  shingle  oft'  a  shoulder  of  rock.     I 


THE   STORY    OP   THE  MONKEY. 


231 


LANGUR    MONKEYS   OF   THE   HIMALAYA    MOUNTAINS. 


then  tried  the  effect  of  throwing  stones  at  them,  and  this  made  them  quite 
angry,  and  the  number  of  fragments  which  they  then  set  rolHng  was  speedily 
doubled.  This,  though  it  does  not  actually  amount  to  throwing  or  pro- 
jecting an  object  by  monkeys  as  a  means  of  offense,  comes  very  near  to  the 


232  THE   STORY   OF   THE  MONKEY, 

same  thing,  and  makes  me  think  that  there  may  be  truth  in  the  stones  of 
their  throwing  fruit  at  people  from  trees. 

In  confinement  the  monkey  is  generally  docile,  good-tempered  and 
amenable  to  instruction.  A  specimen  in  a  zoological  garden  was  said  to  be 
a  most  importunate  beggar;  but  instead  of  snatching  the  contributions  of 
his  visitors  with  violence  or  anger,  like  the  generality  of  monkeys,  he  solicited 
them  by  tumbling,  dancing,  and  a  hundred  other  amusing  tricks.  He  was 
very  fond  of  being  caressed,  and  would  examine  the  hands  of  his  friends 
with  great  gentleness  and  gravity,  trying  to  pick  out  the  little  hairs,  and  all 
the  while  expressing  his  satisfaction  by  smacking  his  lips,  and  uttering  a 
low  surprised  grunt. 

Monkeys  as  a  rule  travel  in  bands  in  the  wild  state.  The  herds  vary  in 
number;  some  cannot  include  much  less  than  from  two  hundred  and  fifty 
to  three  hundred  monkeys  of  all  ages.  The  old  males  usually  take  the  lead 
when  the  troop  is  moving;  some  of  them  also  bringing  up  the  rear;  others 
placing  themselves  on  high  rocks  or  bushes,  and  keeping  a  sharp  lookout 
after  enemies.  A  troop  collected  on  a  rocky  crag  presents  a  most  singular 
appearance.  Whenever  they  assemble  in  the  evening  every  jutting  rock, 
every  little  stone  more  prominent  than  the  rest  is  occupied  by  a  patriarch 
of  the  herd,  who  sits  with  gravity  and  watchfulness  befitting  his  grizzled 
hair,  waiting  patiently  for  the  march  to  begin  anew.  The  females  are  mainly 
occupied  in  taking  care  of  the  young;  the  smaller  monkeys  amusing  them- 
selves by  gamboling  about.  Occasionally,  if  a  young  monkey  becomes  too 
noisy,  or  interferes  with  the  repose  of  his  seniors,  he  "catches  it"  in  most 
unmistakable  style,  and  is  dismissed  with  many  cufifs,  a  wiser  if  not  a  better 
monkey. 

Sometimes  battles  take  place  among  the  monkeys  in  the  wild  state,  when 
it  is  surprising  to  witness  the  rapidity  with  which  they  will  follow  an  ofifender 
down  a  stupendous  precipice,  or  from  the  top  of  a  lofty  tree;  tumbling- 
one  after  another  they  descend  hundreds  of  feet  in  a  moment  or  two.  The 
object  of  the  popular  wrath  sometimes  escapes,  but  in  this  event  he  is  never 
permitted  to  return,  becoming  an  exile. .  He  often  attaches  himself  to 
another  group  or  band,  where  after  a  short  probation  he  is  received  on 
good  behavior.  Should,  however,  the  hapless  member  of  the  tribe  be  caught 
he  is  punished  with  death.  The  various  troops  rarely  indulge  in  pitched 
battles  with  other  bands,  preferring  to  turn  back  in  their  course  when  their 
paths  cross. 

The  member  of  the  simian  tribe  with  his  natty  red  coat  and  twinkling 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY. 


233 


MACAQUE,    OR    BROWN    MONKEY. 


eye  who  is  one-half  the  stock  in  trade  of  the  organ  grinder  has  been  trained 
to  do  his  part  and  does  it  faithfully.  He  is  loyal  to  his  master.  An  instance 
of  this  was  shown  when  a  highly  prized  monkey  one  day  playfully  climbed 
to  the  roof  of  his  master's  house.  A\\  efforts  to  induce  him  to  come  down 
were  unavailing.     Finally  his  master  pointed  a  gun  at  him,  but  quite  unsuc- 


234 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY, 


cessftilly.  Jack  slipped  over  to  the  rear  of  the  building.  Another  gun  was 
procured  and  one  was  placed  on  each  side  of  the  house,  when  the  monkey, 
seeing  the  fix  he  was  in,  sprang  on  the  chimney,  and  hid  in  one  of  the  flues, 
holding  on  by  his  forepaws.  A  fire  soon  brought  him  out  and  he  meekly 
surrendered,  coming  to  his  master  in  an  abashed  and  crestfallen  manner. 

With  the  exception  of  a  few  small  species,  such  as  the  marmosets  and  the 
lemurs,  the  simians  are  not  very  pleasing  animals  in  aspect  or  habits;  while 
the  larger  apes  and  baboons  are  positively  disgusting.    The  air  of  grotesque 


A    ROUGH    RIDER    IN    AFRICA. 


humanity  that  characterizes  them  is  horribly  suggestive  of  human  idiocy. 
It  is  true  that  the  naturalist  learns  to  see  wonder  or  beauty  in  all  things  of 
nature,  and  therefore  looks  with  lively  interest  on  the  ape.  But  still,  this 
creature  is  less  pleasing  in  his  sight  than  many  others  which  may  be  not  so 
highly  developed;  and  in  truth  there  are  few  who,  if  the  choice  lay  between 
the  two  fates,  would  not  prefer  to  suffer  from  the  fangs  and  claws  of  the 
lion  than  from  the  teeth  and  hands  of  the  ape. 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY. 


335 


Although  these  animals  are  capable  of  assuming  a  partially  erect  position, 
yet  their  habitual  attitude  is  on  all-fours.  Even  the  most  accomplished  ape 
is  but  a  bad  walker  when  he  discards  the  use  of  his  two  upper  limbs,  and 
trusts  for  support  and  progression  to  the  hinder  legs  only.  There  are  many 
dogs  which  can  walk,  after  the  manner  of  two-legged  animals,  with  a  firmer 
step  and  a  more  assured  demeanor  than  the  apes,  although  they  do  not  so 
closely  resemble  the  human  figure. 

On  account  of  the  structure  of  the  limbs,  the  term  "hand"  is  given  to 
their  extremities;    but  scarcely  w'ith  perfect  fitness.     It  must  be  borne  in 


A  WHITE-NOSED   MONKEY   OF   LIBERIA. 


min-d  that  the  thumb  is  not  always  found  on  the  fore  extremities  of  these 
animals.  In  several  kinds  of  monkeys  the  fore  paws  are  destitute  of  effective 
thumbs,  and  the  hand-like  grasp  is  limited  to  the  hinder  feet.  The  so-called 
hands  of  the  monkey  tribes  will  not  bear  comparison  with  those  of  man. 
Although  the  thumb  possesses  great  freedom  of  motion,  and  in  many  species 
can  be  opposed  to  the  fingers  in  a  manner  resembling  the  hand  of  man,  yet 
there  is  no  intellectual  power  in  the  monkey  hand;  none  of  that  character- 
istic contour  which  speaks  of  the  glorious  human  soul  so  strongly  that  an 


236 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


artist  can  sketch  a  single  hand,  and  in  that  one  member  exhibit  the  indi- 
viduaHty  of  its  owner. 

That  monkeys,  among  the  other  characteristics  which  show  a  closer  con- 
necting link  with  the  human  species  than  is  at  all  agreeable,  should  possess 
that  love  of  seeing  how  near  they  can  get  to  danger  without  being  hurt, 
which  finds  a  place  in  almost  every  man's  breast,  is  especially  odd,  but  none 
the  less  true. 


HAVING   FUN    WITH   A   CROCODILE. 


The  rivers  all  through  the  kingdom  of  Siam  abound  with  crotodiles  in  an 
extraordinary  manner.  These  are  tantalized  daily  by  the  monkeys,  who 
annoy  them  in  various  ways.  One  day  I  w^as  a  witness  to  the  monkey's  love 
for  frolic  and  the  penalty  sometimes  paid.  A  large  number  of  the  agile  little 
animals  had  gathered  in  a  tree  under  which  a  crocodile  was  sunning  in  some 
shallow  water.  One  after  another  the  monkeys  would  drop  to  the  lower 
branches,  but  careful  not  to  approach  too  near  the  open  jaws.    Approaching 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


237 


nearer  and  nearer  the  crocodile,  and  yelling  at  every  efifort  the  animal  made 
to  catch  a  stray  leg  or  arm  between  his  teeth. 

The  odd  sport  went  on  for  a  full  hour,  the  monkeys  growing  more  and 
more  excited,  and  the  crocodile  never  once  losing  his  patience,  probably  well 
aw^are,  from  experience,  that  in  the  end  he  should  be  repaid  for  having  so 
kindly  lent  himself  to  their  amusement. 


AN    OLD    HANU.MAN    APE. 


At  last  an  unlucky  monkey  slid  down  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  passing 
unceremoniously  over  the  heads  and  backs  of  his  companions,  evidently  with 
the  intention  of  taking  the  place  of  the  one  who  occupied  the  post  of  danger 
near  the  water. 


238 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


The  whole  crowd  yelled  and  chattered  louder  than  ever,  and  the  croco- 
dile's mouth  opened  wider,  but  he  gave  no  other  evidence  of  eagerness. 

The  monkey  had  nearly  reached  the  bottom  of  the  line  when  he  made  a 
misstep,  lost  his  hold,  and  fell  into  the  river. 

There  was  one  cry  of  agony,  that  was  fairly  human  in  its  intensity,  and 
the  unhappy  wight  was  dragged  under  the  water.  The  crocodile  and  his  vic- 
tim had  disappeared. 

The  chain  was  immediately  broken,  the  monkeys  flew  up  the  tree  in  ter- 


A   GOOD   TEMPERANCE   LESSON. 


rible  haste,  their  merriment  changed  to  doleful  cries,  and    there    they  sat 
wringing  their  hands  and  bewailing  the  fate  of  their  companion. 

In  Darfour  and  Sennaar  the  natives  make  a  fermented  beer  of  which  the 
monkeys  are  very  fond.  Aware  of  this,  the  natives  go  to  the  parts  of  the 
forests  frequented  by  the  monkeys,  and  set  on  the  ground  calabashes  full  of 
the  enticing  liquor.  As  soon  as  a  monkey  sees  and  tastes  it,  he  utters  loud 
cries  of  joy,  attracting  his  comrades.  Then  an  orgie  begins,  and  in  a  short 
time  the  beasts  show  all  degrees  of  intoxication.    Then  the  negroes  appear. 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


239 


The  few  monkeys  who  come  too  late  to  get  fuddled  escape.  The  drinkers 
are  too  far  gone  to  distrust  their  captors,  but  apparently  take  them  for  larger 
species  of  their  own  genus.  The  negroes  lay  hold  of  one  or  two,  and  these 
immediately  begin  to  weep  and  cover  them  with  maudlin  kisses.  When  a 
negro  takes  one  by  the  hand  to  lead  him  off,  the  nearest  monkey  will  cling 
to  the  one  who  thus  finds  a  support  and  endeavor  to  go  off  also.  Another 
will  grasp  at  him,  and  thus  in  turn  till  the  negro  leads  a  staggering  line  of 
ten  or  a  dozen  tipsy  monkeys. 


..-J' 


A    DOG-FACED    BABOON. 


THE  UGLY  BABOON. 

With  the  true  baboons  we  come  to  the  most  hideous  and  repulsive-look- 
ing members  of  the  monkey  tribe,  their  repulsive  appearance  being  only 
equalled  by  the  fierce  and  untamable  disposition  of  several  of  the  group. 
All  the  baboons  are  confined  to  Africa  and  the  countries  lying  on  the  north 
of  the  Red  Sea,  so  that  they  are  totally  absent  from  the  Oriental  region. 


240  THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 

They  are  found  over  the  whole  of  Africa;  but,  as  is  so  generally  the  case, 
are  represented  by  a  greater  variety  on  the  west  coast  than  elsewhere,  and 
it  is  also  in  that  region  that  the  most  hideous  representatives  of  the  group 
are  to  be  found. 

While  agreeing  with  the  gelada  baboon  in  the  great  length  of  their 
snouts,  the  true  baboons  are  readily  distinguished  by  the  nostrils  being 
placed  at  the  very  extremity  of  their  snout;  indeed,  in  the  Arabian  baboon 
they  actually  project  slightly  beyond  the  upper  lip,  as  is  the  case  in  most 
dogs.  This  canine  form  of  countenance  led  the  ancient  Greeks  and  Romans 
to  apply  the  name  dog-headed  to  these  animals.  This  great  prolongation 
of  the  snout  shows  that  the  baboons  are  the  lowest  of  the  Old  World 
monkeys,  and  they  bear  the  most  marked  signs  of  relationship  with  the 
inferior  orders  of  mammals. 

In  addition  to  their  long  snouts,  baboons  are  likewise  distinguished  by 
the  large  proportionate  size  of  their  skulls,  this  being  most  markedly  the 
case  with  some  of  the  West  African  forms.  Moreover,  the  bones  forming 
the  upper  jaws  are  greatly  inflated,  so  as  to  give  a  swollen  look  tO'  this  part 
of  the  face  in  some  of  the  species.  They  may  also  carry  prominent  oblique 
ridges,  which  form  the  support  for  the  peculiar  fleshy  tumor-like  structures 
occurring  in  certain  West  African  examples. 

In  all  the  baboons  the  callous  places  on  the  buttocks  are  unusually  large, 
and  may  be  very  brightly  colored.  The  tail  is  never  very  long,  and  often 
very  short.  The  arms  and  legs,  or,  as  they  may  be  better  termed,  fore-  and 
hind-legs,  are  nearly  equal  in  length,  and  are  thus  far  better  adapted  for  pro- 
gress on  the  ground  than  for  climbing.  Indeed  none  of  the  baboons 
appear  to  be  adepts  at  climbing,  and  many  of  them  pass  almost  their 
whole  time  on  the  ground.  Several  species  of  this  group  show  an  especial 
predilection  for  rocky  ground,  and  are  accustomed  to  go  in  large  troops — 
this  association  being  probably  necessary  for  defence  against  the  attacks 
of  leopards  and  other  flesh  eating  animals. 

Their  defence  does  not,  however,  rest  solely  on  the  strength  of  numbers; 
for  the  male  baboons,  wdiich  are  considerably  superior  in  size  and  strength 
to  their  consorts,  are  armed  with  tusks  of  the  most  formidable  dimensions. 
Indeed,  a  bite  from  one  of  these  animals  must  be  almost,  if  not  quite,  as 
severe  and  dangerous  as  a  leopard's;  and  there  are  instances  on  record  where 
leopards  have  been  successfully  attacked  and  mastered  by  a  few  old  male 
baboons. 

The  mandrill,  which  is  the  most  conspicuous  of  the  baboon  tribe,  is  a 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


241 


native  of  Guinea  and  Western  Africa,  and  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  vivid 
colors  with  which  it  is  adorned.  Its  cheeks  are  of  a  brilliant  blue,  its  muzzle 
of  a  bright  scarlet,  and  a  stripe  of  crimson  runs  along  the  center  of  its  nose. 
These  colors  are  agreeably  contrasted  by  the  purple  hues  of  the  hinder 
quarters.     It  lives  principally  in  forests  filled  with  brushwood,  from  which 


\   WHITE-HANDED   GIBBON. 


it  makes  incursions  into  the  nearest  villages,  plundering  them  with  impu- 
nity. On  this  account  it  is  much  dreaded  by  the  natives,  who  feel  them- 
selves incapable  of  resisting  its  attacks.  It  is  excessively  ferocious,  and 
easily  excited  to  anger;  and  when  enraged,  so  boundless  is  its  rage,  that  I 
have  seen  several  of  these  animals  expire  from  the  violence  of  their  fury. 


243  THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY. 

The  greenish-brown  color  of  the  hair  of  this  and  other  monkeys  is  causer! 
by  ahernate  bands  of  yellow  and  black,  which  exist  on  each  hair.  The  bril- 
liant colors  referred  to  above  belong  toi  the  skin,  and  fade  away  entirely 
after  death. 

The  cliacma,  or  bear  baboon  is  remarkable  chiefly  for  its  ability  in  dis- 
covering water.  When  the  water  begins  to  run  short,  and  the  known 
fountains  have  failed,  the  chacma  is  deprived  of  water  for  a  whole  day,  until 
it  is  furious  with  thirst.  A  long  rope  is  then  tied  to  the  baboon's  collar,  and 
it  is  suffered  to  run  about  where  it  chooses. 

First  it  runs  forward  a  little,  then  stops;  gets  on  its  hind  feet,  and  sniffs 
up  the  air  especially  taking  notice  of  the  wind  and  its  direction.  It  will 
then,  perhaps,  change  its  course;  and  after  running  for  some  distance,  take 
another  observation.  Presently  it  will  spy  out  a  blade  of  grass,  or  smaller 
object,  pluck  it  up,  turn  it  on  all  sides,  smell  it,  and  then  go  forward  again. 
Thus  the  animal  proceeds  until  it  leads  the  party  to  water — guided  by  some 
mysterious  instinct. 

This  species  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  countries  bordering  on  the  Red  Sea 
littoral  and  the  Upper  Nile  valley,  but  to  reach  its  habitat  we  have  to  travel 
to  the  southern  extremity  of  the  African  continent. 

Like  all  the  remaining  representatives  of  the  long-tailed  baboons,  the 
chacma  differs  from  the  Arabian  baboon  by  the  absence  of  the  mane  on  the 
neck  and  shoulders  of  the  males.  We  have,  indeed,  in  this  respect  a  gradual 
descending  series  from  the  gelada  baboon,  in  which  both  sexes  are  maned, 
through  the  Arabian  baboon,  in  which  only  the  males  are  so  ornamented, 
to  the  chacma,  in  which  both  males  and  females  are  maneless.  In  size  the 
chacma  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  group,  and  it  has  been  compared  in  this 
respect,  as  well  as  in  its  bodily  strength,  with  an  English  mastiff. 

The  doguera  baboon  is  a  closely  allied  species  or  variety,  found  in 
Abyssinia.  It  is  of  a  more  olive  color  than  the  sacred  baboon.  Dr.  Ander- 
son describes  a  male  preserved  in  the  museum  at  Calcutta  as  being  of  a 
uniform  yellowish-olive  color  on  the  whiskers  and  all  over  the  body,  above 
and  below,  except  on  the  hands  and  feet,  which  are  nearly  black.  The 
coarse  hair  on  the  fore-part  of  the  body  is  about  six  inches  in  length,  and 
is  ashy-grey  in  color  for  the  first  two  inches,  while  the  remainder  is  banded 
with  nine  rings  of  orange  and  black. 

It  was  long  thought  that  the  yellow  baboon,  which  takes  its  name  from 
the  pale  brownish-yellow  hue  of  the  fur,  came  from  Nubia  and  the  Sudan; 
it  is  now  known  to  occur  on  the  west  coast;  but  there  is  a  baboon  found  in 


THE  MALBROOK,  OR  ORGAN  GRINDER'S  MONKEY. 


243 


244  THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY, 

the  neighborhood  of  KiHma-Njaro,  on  the  east  coast,  which  is  identified  with 
this  species.  These  baboons  generally  frequent  the  outlying  parts  of  the 
plantations  of  the  natives,  subsisting  largely  on  the  maize  and  other  prod- 
ucts stolen  therefrom.  In  certain  localities  they  are  extremely  numerous, 
going  about  in  troops  composed  of  about  fourteen  individuals  of  both  sexes 
and  of  all  ages.  They  have  but  little  fear  of  man,  and  instead  of  running 
away  will  turn  round  and  face  an  intruder,  with  threatening  gestures,  at  a 
distance  of  only  a  few  yards.  The  natives  are  in  the  habit  of  driving  them 
away  from  the  crops,  when  the  baboons  retreat  in  a  leisurely  manner,  with 
their  cheek-pouches  crammed  full,  and  often  dragging  off  some  of  the 
plunder  in  their  hands. 

There  are  few  species  of  mammals  that  have  given  rise  to  more  confusion 
in  natural  history  literature  than  the  Guinea  baboon,  of  which  examples 
have  been  described  under  at  least  two  djstinct  names,  and  regarded  as  dif- 
ferent species,  though  it  is  a  well-ascertained  fact  that  the  common  baboon 
belongs  to  one  and  the  same  species  as  the  Guinea  baboon. 

The  Guinea  baboon  is  characterized  by  the  uniformly  reddish-brown  color 
of  its  fur,  which  is  washed  with  a  yellowish  tinge,  more  especially  upon  the 
head,  shoulders,  back,  and  limbs;  the  cheeks  and  throat  being  paler,  and  the 
whiskers  fawai-colored.  As  in  the  chacma,  the  upper  eyelids  are  white.  The 
nose  projects  rather  beyond  the  upper  lip,  but  is  somewhat  less  elongated 
than  in  the  chacma,  and  has  small  swellings  corresponding  w'ith  those  so 
enormously  developed  in  the  next  species. 

As  its  name  indicates,  it  is  an  inhabitant  of  Guinea;  and  although,  judg- 
ing from  the  number  of  specimens  that  are  imported  into  Europe,  it  must 
be  common,  there  is  no  record  of  its  habits  and  mode  of  life  in  a  state  of 
nature.  Of  those  in  a  state  of  confinement  there  are,  however,  numerous 
accounts,  the  species  being  frequently  carried  about  by  itinerant  showmen. 

THE  INTELLIGENT  CHIMPANZEE. 

The  chimpanzee  is  a  native  of  Western  Africa,  and  is  common  on  the 
banks  of  the  Gambia  and  in  Congo.  It  is  also  found  on  the  peninsula  o^ 
Malacca  and  several  islands  of  the  Indian  ocean.  Large  bands  of  these 
formidable  apes  congregate  together  and  unite  in  repelling  an  invader, 
which  they  do  with  such  fury  and  courage  that  even  the  dreaded  elephant 
and  lion  are  driven  from  their  haunts  by  their  united  efforts.  They  live 
principally  on  the  ground,  and,  as  the  name  imports,  spend  much  of  their 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY. 


245 


time  in  caves  and  under  rocks.    Their  height  is  from  four  to  five  feet,  but 
they  are  said  not  to  reach  this  growth  until  nine  or  ten  years  of  age. 

That  the  chimpanzee  was  known  in  Europe  as  far  back  as  1598  is  proved 
by  an  account  brought  back  from  the  Congo  by  a  Portuguese  sailor,  named 
Eduardo  Lopez.  In  161 3  there  appeared  the  history  of  the  wanderings  of 
an  English  sailor,  named  Andrew  Battel,  in  the  lower  part  of  Guinea,  in 
1590,  who  appears  to  have  heard  of  or  seen,  not  only  the  chimpanzee, 


THE   CHIMPANZEE  AND    ITS   HABITS. 


which  he  designates  the  Enjocko,  but  likewise  the  gorilla,  which  he  calls 
the  pongo.  Hence  the  name  Jocko  so  generally  given  to  individuals  of  the 
monkey  tribe. 

In  captivity,  chimpanzees,  when  in  health,  are  gentle,  intelligent,  and 
afifectionate,  readily  learning  to  feed  themselves  with  a  spoon,  or  to  drink 
out  of  a  glass  or  cup.     Unfortunately,  however,  their  span  of  life  in  this 


Z46  THE  STORY   OF   THE  MONKEY. 

country  is  but  brief.  The  longest  period  that  a  chimpanzee  has  hitherto 
lived  in  a  zoological  garden  at  London  is  eight  years;  "Sally,"  who  died  in 
189 1,  having  been  kept  there  for  that  time.  The  description  by  Dr.  J.  G. 
Romanes  of  the  mental  power  of  "Sally"  is  full  of  interest.  This  account 
was  written  after  the  creature  had  been  nearly  six  years  in  the  London 
Zoological  Gardens.  The  intelligence  of  "Sally"  is  compared  by  Dr. 
Romanes  to  that  of  a  child  a  few  months  before  emerging  from  the  period 
of  infancy,  and  is  thus  far  higher  than  that  of  any  other  mammal  (exclusive 
of  man).  In  spite,  however,  of  this  relatively  high  degree  of  intelligence, 
the  creature's  power  of  making  vocal  replies  to  her  keepers,  or  those  with 
whom  she  was  brought  into  contact,  were  of  the  most  limited  kind.  Such 
replies  were,  indeed,  restricted  to  three  peculiar  grunting  noises.  One  of 
these  indicated  assent  or  affirmation;  another,  of  very  similar  intonation, 
denoted  refusal  or  distrust;  while  the  third,  and  totally  different  intonation, 
was  used  to  express  thanks  or  recognition  of  favors.  In  disposition  "Sally" 
was,  like  many  of  her  sex,  apt  to  be  capricious  and  uncertain;  although, 
on  the  whole,  she  was  good-humored  and  fond  of  her  keepers,  with  whom 
she  was  never  tired  of  a  kind  of  bantering  play. 

It  has  always  been  a  matter  ol  surprise  that  no  large  man-like  ape  now 
inhabits  the  dense  tropical  forests  of  India  or  Burma,  which  would  appear 
to  be  just  as  suitable  for  these  creatures  as  are  those  of  Borneo  or  Equatorial 
Africa.  The  discovery  in  India  of  a  jaw  of  a  large  ape  apparently  belonging 
to  the  same  genus  as  the  chimpanzee  shows  us,  however,  that  large  man-like 
apes  must  have  once  roamed  over  the  plains  of  India.  Why  chimpanzees, 
together  with  hippopotami  and  giraffes,  which  are  likewise  found  fossil  in 
India  but  are  now  confined  tO'  Africa,  should  have  totally  disappeared  from 
the  former  country,  is,  however,  one  of  those  puzzling  problems  connected 
with  the  distribution  of  animals  which  we  have  but  little  hope  of  answering" 
satisfactorily. 

THE  ORANG-OUTAN. 

The  Orang-outan  inhabits  Borneo  and  Sumatra.  In  Borneo  there  are 
two  species  of  orang,  called  by  the  natives  the  Miaskassar  and  the  Miaspap- 
pan.  Some  naturalists  suppose  that  the  Sumatran  orang  is  also  a  distinct 
specieSo 

This  is  the  largest  of  all  the  apes,  as  it  is  said  that  orangs  have  been 
obtained  from  Borneo  considerably  above  five  feet  in  height.  The  strength 
of  this  animal  is  tremendous:  a  female  snapped  a  strong  spear  asunder  after 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY, 


247 


having  received  many  severe  wounds.  Its  arms  are  of  extraordinary  length, 
the  hands  reaching  the  ground  when  it  stands  erect.  This  length  of  arm  is 
admirably  adapted  for  climbing  trees,  on  which  it  principally  resides. 

When  young  the  orang-outan  is  very  docile,  and  has  been  taught  to 
make  its  own  bed,  and  to  handle  a  cup  and  saucer,  or  a  spoon,  with  tolerable 
propriety.  For  the  former  occupation  it  proved  itself  particularly  apt,  as 
it  not  only  laid  its  own  bed-clothes  smooth  and  comfortable,  but  exhibited 
much  ingenuity  in  stealing  blankets  from  other  beds,  which  it  added  to  its 
own.     A  young  orang  evinced  extreme  horror  at  the  sight  of  a  small  tor- 


YOUNG   OURANG-OUTANS   AT   PLAY. 


toise,  and,  when  the  reptile  was  introduced  into  its  den,  stood  aghast  in  a 
most  ludicrously  terrified  attitude,  with  its  eyes  intently  fixed  on  the  fright- 
ful object. 

The  orangs,  like  gorillas,  go  in  small  family  parties,  consisting  of  the 
parents  accompanied  frequently  by  from  two  to  four  young  ones.  Although 
they  will  devour  leaves,  buds,  and  young  shoots, — more  especially  those  of 
the  bamboo, — the  chief  food  of  the  orang  consists  of  fruits  of  various  kinds, 
the  prime  favorite  being  the  luscious  but  ill-smelling  durian  or  jack-fruit. 


248  THE  STORY   OF   THE  MONKEY, 

Of  this  fruit  they  waste  a  vast  quantity,  throwing  the  rejected  rinds  on  the 
ground  below. 

THE  ACROBATIC  MONKEY. 

The  Agile  Gibbon  is  a  native  of  Sumatra.  This  species,  too,  is  included 
in  the  man-like  apes.  It  derives  its  name  of  Agile,  from  the  wonderful 
activity  it  displays  in  launching  itself  through  the  air  from  branch  to 
branch.  One  of  these  creatures,  that  was  exhibited  some  time  since,  sprang 
with  the  greatest  ease  through  distances  of  twelve  and  eighteen  feet;  and 
when  apples  or  nuts  were  thrown  to  her  while  in  the  air,  she  would  catcli 
them  without  discontinuing  her  course.  She  kept  up  a  succession  of  springs, 
hardly  touching  the  branches  in  her  progress,  continually  uttering  a  musical 
but  almost  deafening  cry.  She  was  very  tame  and  gentle,  and  would  permit 
herself  to  be  touched  or  caressed.  The  height  of  the  gibbon  is  about  three 
feet,  and  the  reach  of  the  extended  arms  about  six  feet.  The  young  gibbon 
is  of  a  paler  color  than  its  parent. 

THE  LONG-NOSE  MONKEY. 

The  kahau,  or  proboscis  monkey,  is  a  native  of  Borneo.  It  derives  its 
name  fro^m  the  cry  it  utters,  which  is  a  repetition  of  the  word  "kahau."  It 
is  remarkable  for  the  extraordinary  size  and  shape  of  its  nose,  and  the 
natives  relate  that  while  leaping  it  holds  that  organ  with  its  paws,  apparently 
to  guard  it  against  the  branches.  It  is  not  an  animal  of  very  captivating 
appearance;  but  when  it  has  been  macerated  in  spirits  of  wine  for  a  few 
months,  its  ugliness  is  quite  supernatural.  Naturalists  formerly  supposed 
that  there  were  two  species  of  this  animal — the  nose  of  one  being  aquiline 
and  that  of  the  other  being  slightly  turned  up.  It  was  discovered,  however, 
that  the  latter  animal  was  only  the  young  kahau,  whose  little  nose  had  not 
reached  its  full  beauty.  The  length  of  the  animal  from  the  head  to  the  tip 
of  the  tail  is  about  four  feet  four  inches;  and  its  general  color  is  a  sandy 
red,  relieved  by  yellow  cheeks  and  a  yellow  stripe  over  the  shoulders. 

THE  SACRED   MONKEYS   OF  INDIA. 

The  monkey  called  the  Entellus  is  held  sacred  in  some  parts  of  India, 
particularly  in  Lower  Bengal.  The  origin  of  the  extreme  veneration,  which 
multitudes  cherish  for  this  animal,  is  involved  in  the  obscurity  of  their  early 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   MONKEY. 


349 


SACRED   APES   OF    INDIA. 


history,  and  may  be  traced  back  to  the  most  remote  periods.  Some  years 
ago,  a  rajah  spent  100,000  rupees  in  marrying  two  monkeys,  with  all  the 
parade  of  a  Hindoo  wedding.  The  festivities  on  such  an  occasion  always 
take  place  at  night. 

On  the  so-called  marriage  of  the  monkeys,  there  were  seen  in  the  pro-- 


250 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   MONKEY. 


cession,  elephants,  camels,  horses,  richly  caparisoned,  palanquins,  flambeaux, 
and  lamps.  The  male  monkey  was  fastened  in  a  gaily-decked  palanquin, 
having  a  crown  on  his  head,  with  men.  standing  by  his  side  to  fan  him,  as 
they  would  a  human  being.  Then  followed  singing  and  dancing  girls  in 
carriages,  and  for  twelve  days  the  festivities  were  carried  on  at  the  monkey 
palace. 

THE   MARMOSET. 


MARMOSET   TEARING    PICTURES   OF   BUGS   OUT   OF    A   BOOK   AND   EATING   THEM. 


The  marmoset  is  a  most  interesting  little  creature.  It  is  exceedingly 
sensitive  to  cold,  and  when  out  of  its  own  country  is  usually  occupied  in 
nestling  among  the  materials  for  its  bed,  which  it  heaps  up  in  one  corner 
and  out  of  which  it  seldom  entirely  emerges.  It  will  eat  almost  any  article 
of  food,  but  is  especially  fond  of  insects,  which  it  dispatches  in  a  very  adroit 
manner.  It  will  also  eat  fruits,  especially  those  of  its  native  country.  Its 
fondness  for  insects  has  been  carried  so  far  that  it  has  been  known  to  pinch 
out  the  figures  of  beetles  in  books  and  swallow  them. 


STORY  OF  THE  GORILLA. 


The  gorilla,  an  enormous  ape  from  Western  Africa,  is  the  largest  mem- 
ber of  the  monkey  family,  but  others  have  a  much  greater  resemblance  to 
man  and  have  many  human  characteristics  wanting  in  the  gorilla.  Of  the 
man-like  apes,  the  chimpanzee  is  the  largest  and  most  commonly  known. 
Next  comes  the  orang-outan,  which  frequently  attains  a  height  of  over  five 
feet.  The  gibbon  is  a  small,  active  simian,  and  has  the  peculiarity  of  great 
cleanliness;  the  mother  washing  her  offspring's  face  several  times  daily  in 
spite  of  the  struggles  and  screams  of  the  young.  Others  are  the  marmoset, 
lemurs,  the  spider-monkeys. 

A  great  deal  of  nonsense  has  been  written  about  the  impossibility  of  man 
being  descended  from  the  chimpanzee,  a  gorilla,  or  an  orang.  No  one,  how- 
ever, who  knows  what  he  is  talking  about,  can  ever  suppose  for  a  single 
moment  that  such  was  the  case.  What  zoologists  do  contend  for  is  that, 
supposing  some  kind  of  evolution  to  be  true  explanation  of  the  origin  of 
animals, — and  all  the  available  evidence  indicates  that  it  is  so, — man  is  so 
intimately  connected,  so  far  as  his  bodily  structure  is  concerned,  with  the 
higher  apes  that,  in  this  respect  at  least,  he  cannot  but  be  considered  to  have 
had  a  similar  origin.  And  on  this  view  both  man  and  the  man-like  apes  are 
regarded  as  diverging  branches  descended  from  a  common  ancestor, — "the 

251 


252  THE   STORY   OF   THE    GORILLA. 

missing  link," — long  since  extinct,  and  as  much  unlike  any  living  ape,  as 
such  apes  are  unlike  man  himself. 

That  the  higher  apes  are  closely  related  in  their  bodily  structure  to-  man 
is  obvious  to  all,  and  it  is  a  fact  that  the  differences  between  some  of  these 
apes  and  man  are  of  far  less  importance  than  those  by  which  the  lower 
monkeys  are  separated  from  the  higher  apes.  It  has,  indeed,  been  attempted 
to  show^  that  apes  and  monkeys  are  sharply  distinguished  from  man  by  the 
circumstance  that  while  man  is  two-handed,  apes  and  monkeys  are  four- 
handed.  The  difference  between  the  foot  of  one  of  the  larger  apes  and  that 
of  man  is,  however,  merely  one  of  degree,  and  is  much  less  than,  that  between 
the  apes  and  the  lowest  representatives  of  the  order. 

Most  of  the  monkey  tribe  are  inhabitants  of  forest  regions.  Aided  bv 
their  hand-like  feet,  all  of  them  are  expert  climbers,  and  many,  like  the 
oriental  gibbons  and  the  South  American  spider-monkeys,  but  rarely  leave 
the  trees,  leaping  from  bough  to  bough,  and  thus  from  tree  to  tree,  far  above 
the  heads  of  the  travelers  below,  to  whom  their  presence  is  made  known 
only  by  their  continual  howling  or  chattering.  The  climbing  powers  of  the 
South  American  monkeys  are  largely  aided  by  their  prehensile  tails,  which 
serve  the  purpose  of  a  fifth  limb.  Owing  tO'  the  warmth  of  the  regions  in 
which  most  of  them  dwell,  monkeys  never  hibernate.  Contrary,  however, 
to  what  is  often  supposed  to  be  the  case,  several  of  the  smaller  species  are 
expert  swimmers,  and  will  fearlessly  cross  comparatively  large  rivers. 

When  the  human  skeleton  is  contrasted  with  that  of  the  ape  the.  size  of 
the  ape's  forearm  is  the  most  striking  point  of  difference.  Next  comes  the 
shape  of  the  skull  and  the  ring  of  bone  surrounding  the  sockets  of  the  eyes. 
The  number  of  teeth  differs  in  the  various  species.  In  the  very  young  the 
resemblance  to  man  is  much  greater  than  in  the  adult  ape. 

Dr.  Robert  Hartmann,  of  Berlin,  who  has  devoted  much  attention  to 
the  man-like  apes,  observes  that  *'in  the  gorilla,  the  chimpanzee,  and  the 
orang-outan,  the  outer  form  is  subject  to  modifications,  according  to  the 
age  and  sex.  The  difference  between  the  sexes  is  most  strongly  marked  in 
the  gorilla,  and  these  differences  are  least  apparent  in  the  gibbons.  When 
a  young  male  gorilla  is  compared  with  an  aged  animal  of  the  same  species  we 
are  almost  tempted  to  believe  that  we  have  to  do  with  twO'  entirely  different 
creatures.  While  the  young  male  still  shows  a  resemblance  to  the  human 
structure,  and  develops  in  its  bodily  habits  the  same  qualities  which  gen- 
erally characterize  the  short-tailed  apes  of  the  Old  World,  with  the  exception 
of  the  baboon,  the  aged  male  is  otherwise  formed.     In  the  latter  case  the 


THE   STORY   OF   THE    GORILLA. 


253 


points  of  resemblance  to  the  human  type  are  far  fewer;  the  aged  animal  has 
become  a  gigantic  ape,  retaining  indeed,  in  the  structure  of  his  hands  and 
feet,  the  characteristics  of  his  kind,  while  the  protruding  head  is  something 
between  the  muzzle  of  the  baboon,  the  bear,  and  the  boar.  Simultaneously 
with  these  remarkable  alterations  of  the  outer  structure  there  occurs  a 
change  of  the  skeleton.  The  skull  of  an  aged  male  gorilla  becomes  more 
projecting  at  the  muzzle,  and  the  dog  teeth  have  almost  attained  the  length 


GORILLA  AND  YOUNG. 


of  those  of  lions  and  tigers.  On  the  upper  part  of  the  skull,  which  is  rounded 
in  youth,  great  bony  crests  are  developed  on  the  crown  of  the  head  and  on 
the  forehead.  The  arches  above  the  eye-sockets  are  covered  with  wrinkled 
skin,  and  the  already  savage  and  indeed  revolting  appearance  of  the  gorilla 
is  thereby  increased." 

Natural  history  is  indebted  to  Paul  Du  Chaillu,  the  African  traveler 
and  explorer,  for  its  first  definite  knowledge  of  the  gorilla. 


254  THE   STORY   OF   THE    GORILLA. 

A  full-grown  male,  if  standing-  in  a  perfectly  upright  position,  will  gen- 
erally measure  rather  more  than  six  feet  in  height;  and  since  his  body  is 
much  more  bulky,  and  his  limbs  are  longer  than  those  of  a  man,  he  is  con- 
siderably the  largest  representative  of  his  kind.  As  in  the  chimpanzee,  there 
are  distinct  eyebrows  on  the  forehead  and  lashes  to  the  lids  of  the  eyes.  The 
nose  has  a  relatively  long  bridge,  and  its  extremity  is  high,  conical,  and 
widely  expanded.  The  upper  lip  is  remarkable  for  its  shortness;  and  the 
whole  of  the  dark  skin  in  the  region  of  the  nose,  cheeks,  and  mouth  is 
marked  by  a  number  of  wrinkled  folds.  The  massive  jaws  are  extremely 
projecting,  and  with  their  huge  tusks,  or  dog  teeth,  complete  the  repulsive 
aspect  imparted  to  the  expression  by  the  overhanging  eyebrows.  The  ears 
are  comparativejy  small  and  appear  to  be  fastened  above  and  behind  to  the 
sides  of  the  face.  The  head  is  joined  to  the  trunk  by  a  very  short  and  thick 
neck,  W'hich  gives  the  appearance  of  its  being  set  into  the  shoulders;  and 
the  term  "bull-necked"  is  therefore  strictly  applicable  to  the  creature.  This 
great  thickness  and  power  of  the  neck  is  largely  due  to  the  backward  pro- 
jection of  the  skull,  and  the  tall  spines  surmounting  the  vertebra  of  the  neck. 
The  muscles  of  the  shoulders  and  chest  are  equally  powerful,  as  is  essential 
for  the  movements'  of  the  mighty  arms. 

Although  when  driven  to  close  quarters  the  gorilla  is  doubtless  one  of 
the  most  terrible  of  foes,  yet  it  appears  certain  that  very  exaggerated 
accounts  have  been  given  of  the  natural  ferocity.  Herr  von  Koppenfels 
informs  us  that  so  "long  as  the  gorilla  is  unmolested  he  does  not  attack 
men;  and,  indeed,  rather  avoids  the  encounter."  And  when  these  creatures 
catch  sight  of  men,  they  generally  rush  off  precipitately  in  the  opposite 
direction  through  the  underwood,  giving  vent  at  the  same  time  to  peculiar 
guttural  cries.  It  appears  that  many  gorillas  are  killed  by  the  natives  with 
the  aid  of  a  weighted  spear  suspended  by  a  cunningly  devised  system  'of 
cords  in  the  creature's  path.  Others  are,  however,  undoubtedly  shot  by  the 
negroes,  although  it  would  seem  that,  at  least  in  many  instances,  such 
animals  have  been  accidentally  met  by  the  hunters  as  they  travelled  through 
the  forest  rather  than  deliberately  sought  out  and  tracked. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  LEMUR. 


So  many  people  mistake  lemurs  for  monkeys,  that  I  have  decided  to 
speak  at  some  length  of  the  former  animals.  The  resemblance  between 
lemurs  and  monkeys  is  so  strong  that  it  is  difficult  to  explain  in  a  popular 
work  the  exact  difference  without  treating  of  the  anatomy,  the  physical 
construction  of  both.  This  I  do  not  propose  to  do,  but  will  try  to  make  it 
clear  in  other  ways. 

The  first  point  of  difference  is  to  be  noticed  in  the  foxy,  but  expression- 
less faces  of  the  lemurs,  indicating  that  they  are  of  a  much  lower  order  of 
intelligence  than  apes  and  monkeys. 

Many  lemurs  are  purely  night  animals,  and  it  was  probably  from  this  cir- 
cumstance, coupled  with  their  silent  habits  and  stealthy  movements,  that 
Linnaeus  was  induced  to  give  them  the  name  which  they  are  now  uni- 
versally known.  The  name  lemur  is  taken  from  the  Latin  term  lemures, 
which,  together  with  that  of  larvae,  was  applied  by  the  ancient  Romans  to 
such  spirits  of  the  dead  as  were  supposed  to  be  of  malignant  natures. 

Altogether,  there  are  about  fifty  species  of  lemur-like  animals.  They 
are  all  restricted  not  only  to  the  Old  World,  but  also  to  the  southern  re- 
gions of  the  great  land  masses  of  that  hemisphere,  none  of  them  being 

255 


256  THE   STORY   OF   THE   LEMUR. 

found  to  the  northward  of  the  tropic  of  Cancer,  while  the  tropic  of  Capricorn 
very  nearly  limits  their  southward  range.  Within  this  area  a  few  species  are 
found  respectively  throughout  the  warmer  regions  of  Africa,  and  in 
Southern  India  and  Ceylon,  while  their  eastern  limits  are  marked  by  the 
island  of  Celebes  and  the  Philippines.  In  all  these  regions  the  number  of 
species  is  comparatively  few,  and  they  form  but  an  unimportant  element  in 
the  general  animal  family  of  the  country.  The  case  is,  however,  very  dif- 
ferent in  the  great  island  of  Madagascar,  which  is  the  headquarters  of  the 
whole  group.  Here  we  find  them  constituting  no  less  than  one-half  the 
animals  of  the  island,  most  of  the  others  being  small  forms,  unknown  either 
on  the  continent  of  Africa  or  in  Asia.  The  true  lemurs  occur  only  in  Mada- 
gascar, and  it  is  very  remarkable  that  all  the  species  of  the  group  found  in 
that  island  scarcely  show  any  closer  relationship  to  those  of  the  African 
mainland  than  they  exhibit  to  those  of  Asia.  So  abundant,  indeed,  are 
lemurs  in  Madagascar  that  at  least  one  individual  is  almost  sure  to  be  found 
in  every  little  copse  throughout  the  island. 

It  will  be  evident  that  such  a  numerous  population  of  helpless  animals 
like  lemurs  could  not  exist  in  a  land  overrun  with  large  flesh-eating  animals; 
and  in  the  w^hole  of  Madagascar  we  find  only  a  few  civets  and  an  allied 
creature  known  as  the  fossa.  Now  to  account  for  these  peculiar  features — 
the  absence  of  all  large  flesh-eaters,  except  civets,  and  the  abundance  of 
lemurs — we  have  to  call  in  the  aid  of  the  geologist.  He  will  tell  us  that 
lemur-like  animals,  accompanied  by  civet-Hke  animals,  existed  in  England, 
France,  and  other  parts  of  Europe  during  the  early  part  of  the  Tertiary 
period.  And  we  are  accordingly  led  to  conclude  that  the  lemurs  and  civets 
of  Madagascar  obtained  an  entrance  into  that  island,  doubtless  by  way 
of  Africa,  at  a  time  when  that  continent  was  still  free  from  the  presence  of 
the  large  flesh-eating  animals  and  the  host  of  hoofed  creatures,  which  now 
form  such  a  dominant  feature  in  its  animal  population.  After  the  lemurs 
and  civets  had  obtained  an  entrance  into  Madagascar  that  country  became 
separated  from  the  adjacent  mainland,  and  it  has  remained  as  an  island  ever 
since.  There,  secure  from  molestation,  the  lemurs  have  attained  a  develop- 
ment unequalled  at  any  time  in  any  part  of  the  globe,  and  afford  us  an 
admirable  instance  of  the  importance  a  group  of  animals  may  attain  when 
living  under  favorable  conditions. 

We  have  already  said  that  many  lemurs  are  essentially  nocturnal  crea- 
tures. To  this  we  may  add  that  they  are  all  of  essentially  tree  frequenting  in 
their  habits.     Indeed,  except  when  compelled  to  descend  to  the  ground  to 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   LEMUR. 


257 


obtain  water,  or  for  the  purpose  of  crossing  from  one  plantation  or  coppice 
to  another,  th'^ey  but  rarely  leave  the  trees.  Their  diet  is  extremely  mixed, 
scarcely  anything  coming  amiss  to  them,  as  will  be  inferred  when  we  men- 
tion that  leaves,  fruits,  insects,  reptiles,  birds'  eggs,  and  birds  themselves  are 
eagerly  consumed  by  most  of  these  animals. 

By  the  natives  of  Madagascar  the  lemurs  are  looked  upon  with  suspicious 
awe,  and  are  consequently  but  seldom  molested.     This  is  doubtless  due  to 


syy- 


\2w 


THE   RUFFED   LEMUR. 


their  nocturnal  habits  and  ghost-like  movements;  while  the  large  eyes  essen- 
tial to  these  and  all  other  nocturnal  creatures  have  perhaps  contributed  to 
this  feeling.  In  Ceylon  and  India  the  large  glaring  eyes  of  one  of  the 
prettiest  of  the  lemurs  used  to  lead  to  the  unfortunate  creatures  being  put  to 
a  cruel  death.  None  of  the  lemurs  attain  any  very  large  size,  and  all  of 
them,  when  unmolested,  are  perfectly  harmless  and  inoffensive  animals,  ex- 
cept to  the  birds,  reptiles,  and  insects  -upon  which  they  prey. 


258  THE   STORY   OF   THE   LEMUR. 

The  largest  of  the  true  lemurs  is  known  as  the  ruffed  lemur.  It  inhabits 
the  Northeast  Coast  of  Madagascar,  and  as  its  name  indicates,  is  remark- 
able for  the  variety  of  color  of  its  fur.  Frequently  this  is  a  mixture  of  black 
and  white,  disposed  in  patches  on  different  parts  of  the  body,  but  occasion- 
ally white  individuals  are  met  with;  others  are  a  reddish  brown. 

The  red-fronted  lemur  is  met  with  in  all  parts  of  the  island;  the  white- 
fronted  is  found  on  the  Northeast  Coast  and  the  black-fronted  on  the  North- 
west Coast.  Besides  these  there  are  the  Mungoose  lemur  of  the  West- 
ern Coast,  the  black  lemur  of  the  Northwest  Coast,  the  gentle  lemur  of  the 
jungles,  the  weasel  lemur  of  Northwest  Madagascar  and  the  mouse  lemur 
of  which  there  are  many  varieties. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  of  all  is  the  little  creature  known  as  the 
dwarf  mouse  lemur,  but  often  referred  to  as  the  Madagascar  rat.  The  head 
and  body  of  this  diminutive  creature  do  not  exceed  4  inches  in  length, 
while  the  tail  measures  6  inches.  The  prevailing  color  is  a  pale  grey;  the 
chin  and  under-parts  being  pale  yellow,  and  the  outer  surface  of  the  ears 
light  brown,  while  a  white  streak  runs  up  the  nose  and  between  the  eyes. 
The  eyes  themselves  are  surrounded  by  black  rims,  giving  to  the  face  the  ap- 
pearance of  wearing  a  pair  of  spectacles. 

The  dwarf  mouse  lemur  builds  beautifully  constructed  nests  of  twigs, 
lined  with  hair,  in  the  tops  of  the  lofty  trees  where  it  delights  to  dwell. 
These  nests  somewhat  resemble  those  of  a  rook  both  in  form  and  size,  and 
are  used  not  only  as  daily  resting-places  but  as  cradles  for  the  young. 
The  species  is  remarkable  for  the  extreme  beauty  of  its  brilliant  eyes. 

The  dwarf  lemurs  inhabit  a  belt  of  forest-land  stretching  from  the 
eastern  forest  into  the  heart  of  Betsileo,  a  few  miles  north  of  Fianarantsoa, 
where  they  are  tolerably  abundant.  They  live  on  the  tops  of  the  highest 
trees,  choosing  invariably  the  smallest  branches,  where  they  collect  a  quan- 
tity of  dried  leaves,  and  make  what  looks  from  below  like  a  bird's  nest.  So 
close  is  the  resemblance,  that  it  requires  good  eyes  to  distinguish  the  one 
from  the  other.  Their  food  consists  of  fruit  and  insects,  and  most  probably 
honey.  I  have  frequently  seen  them  catching  the  flies  that  have  entered  their 
cage  for  the  honey;  and  I  have  supplied  them  with  moths  and  butterflies, 
which  they  have  devoured  with  avidity.  They  are  extremely  shy  and 
wild.  Although  I  have  had  between  thirty  and  forty  caged  at  different 
times,  I  have  never  succeeded  in  taming  one.  They  are  also  very  quarrel- 
some, and  fight  very  fiercely,  uttering  a  most  piercing,  penetrating  sound, 
somewhat  resembling  a  very  shrill  whistle. 


THE   STORY   OF   THE  LEMUR.  259 

The  best  known  African  lemurs  are  called  galagos.  With  the  exception 
of  a  kind  from  the  West  Coast,  the  great,  or  thick-tailed  galago,  of  Mozam- 
bique and  the  Lower  Zambesi  Valley,  is  the  largest  of  all  the  species.  This 
animal  is  about  the  size  of  a  cat  of  average  dimensions;  and,  indeed,  the 
peculiar  manner  in  which  it  carries  its  thick  bushy  tail  high  above  its  back 
is  highly  suggestive  of  a  pampered  Persian  cat.  This  bushy  tail  is  about  one- 
fourth  longer  than  the  head  and  body.     The  ears  are  unusually  long-. 

It  is  confined  to  the  maritime  region,  so  far  as  I  know  never  penetrating 
beyond  the  band  of  wood  generally  known  as  the  mangrove  forest.  By  the 
Portuguese  it  is  named  "rat  of  the  cocoanut  palm,"  that  being  its  favorite 
haunt  by  day,  nestling  among  the  fronds;  but  if  it  be  disturbed,  performing 
feats  of  agility,  and  darting  from  one  palm  to  another.  It  will  spring  with 
great  rapidity,  adhering  to  any  object  as  if  it  were  a  lump  of  wet  clay.  It 
has  one  failing,  otherwise  its  capture  would  be  no  easy  task.  Should  a 
pot  of  palm-wine  be  left  on  the  tree,  the  creature  drinks  to  excess,  comes 
down,  and  rushes  about  intoxicated.  In  captivity  they  are  mild;  during  the 
day  remaining  either  rolled  up  in  a  ball,  or  perched  half  asleep,  with  ears 
stowed  away  like  a  beetle's  wing  under  its  hard  and  ornamented  case.  I 
had  half  a  dozen  squirrels  with  one  in  the  same  cage;  these  were  good 
friends,  the  latter  creeping  under  the  galago's  soft  fur  and  falling  asleep.  On 
introducing  a  few  specimens  of  (elephant)  shrew,  the  galago  seized  one  and 
bit  off  its  tail,  which  however,  it  did  not  eat.  The  food  it  took  was  biscuit, 
rice,  orange,  banana,  guava,  and  a  little  cooked  meat.  Stupid  during  the 
day,  it  became  active  at  night,  or  just  after  darkness  set  in.  The  rapidity 
and  length  of  its  leaps,  which  were  absolutely  noiseless,  must  give  great  facili- 
ties to  its  capturing  live  prey.  I  never  knew  it  give  a  loud  call,  but  it  would 
often  make  a  low,  chattering  noise.  It  had  been  observed  at  the  Luabo 
mouth  of  the  Zambesi,  at  Ouillimane,  and  at  Mozambique.  When  I  had  my 
live  specimen  at  Zanzibar,  the  natives  did  not  seem  to  recognize  it;  never- 
theless, it  may  be  abundant  on  the  mainland. 

In  the  warmer  parts  of  Asia  is  found  the  slow  lemur  or  loris.  The  name 
loris,  by  which  all  the  slow  lemurs  are  commonly  known,  is  derived  from 
the  Dutch  word  Loeris,  meaning  a  clown,  and  appears  to  have  been  applied 
to  these  animals  by  the  Dutch  colonists  of  the  East  Indian  Islands.  To  the 
natives  of  India  the  slow  loris  is  known  either  by  the  name  Sharmindi  billi, 
"bashful  cat,"  or  Lajjar  banar,  "bashful  monkey."  It  is  an  animal  about  the 
size  of  a  cat;  different  individuals  or  races  varying  considerably  in  size,  so 
that  while  some  specimens  do  not  measure  more  than  13  inches  in  total 


260  THE   STORY   OF   THE   LEMUR. 

length,  others  may  reach  as  much  as  15  inches,  or  even  more.  Its  propor- 
tions are  thick  and  clumsy;  the  head  being  broad  and  flat,  with  a  slightly 
projecting  and  pointed  muzzle.  The  large  eyes  are  perfectly  circular,  and 
their  pupils  can  be  completely  closed  by  the  gradual  contraction  of  the  iris, 
which  open  from  above  and  below,  so  that  when  the  pupil  is  half  concealed 
it  takes  the  form  of  a  transverse  slit.  The  ears  are  short,  rounded,  and 
partly  buried  in  the  fur;  and  are,  thus,  very  different  from  those  of  the 
galagos.  The  hind-limbs  are  only  slightly  longer  than  the  others.  With 
the  exception  of  the  muzzle  and  the  hands  and  feet,  the  whole  of  the  body 
is  covered  with  a  thick  coat  of  very  close  and  somewhat  long  woolly  fur. 

In  the  more  common  and  larger  variety,  the  color  of  the  fur  is  ashy-grey 
above,  tending  to  become  silvery  along  the  sides  of  the  back,  the  under-parts 
being  lighter,  and  the  rump  often  having  a  tinge  of  red.  The  stripe  on  the 
back  is  chestnut-colored,  and  stops  short  at  the  hinder  part  of  the  crown  of 
the  head.  The  eyes  are,  however,  surrounded  by  dark  rims;  between  which 
is  the  white  streak  extending  upwards  from  the  nose.  The  ears,  together 
with  a  small  surrounding  area,  are  brown. 

The  slow  loris  is  found  over  a  large  area  in  the  countries  lying  to  the  east- 
ward of  the  Bay  of  Bengal.  It  occurs  on  the  northeast  frontier  of  India  in 
the  provinces  of  Sylhet  and  Assam,  whence  it  extends  southwards  into 
Burma,  Tenasserim,  and  the  Malay  Peninsula;  while  it  is  also  found  in  Siam 
and  Cochin  China,  and  the  islands  of  Sumatra,  Java  and  Borneo. 

Its  food  consists  of  leaves  and  young  shoots  of  trees,  as  well  as  fruits, 
various  kinds  of  insects,  birds,  and  their  eggs.  It  has  been  observed  to 
stand  nearly  erect  upon  its  feet,  and  from  this  advantageous  position  pounce 
upon  an  insect.  It  is  generally  silent,  althoug-h  sometimes  uttering  a  low 
crackling  sound;  but  when  enraged,  and  especially  if  about  to  bite,  it  gives  a 
kind  of  fierce  growl.  This  animal  is  tolerably  common  in  the  Tenasserim 
provinces  and  Arakan;  but,  being  strictly  nightly  in  its  habits,  is  seldom  seen. 
It  inhabits  the  densest  forests,  and  never  by  choice  leaves  the  trees.  Its 
movements  are  slow,  but  it  climbs  readily,  and  grasps  with  great  tenacity. 
If  placed  on  the  ground,  it  can  proceed,  if  frightened,  in  a  wavering  kind  of 
trot,  the  limbs  placed  at  right  angles.  It  sleeps  rolled  up  in  a  ball,  its  head 
and  hands  buried  between  its  thighs,  and  wakes  up  at  the  dusk  of  evening  to 
commence  its  nocturnal  rambles.  The  female  bears  but  one  young  at  a 
time.  Many  accounts  have  been  published  of  the  habits  of  the  slow  loris  in 
confinement.     While  these  creatures  are  apt  to  be  fierce  when  first  captured, 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   LEMUR.  261 

they  soon  become  docile.  They  are  very  susceptible  to  cold,  and  when  so 
affected  are  apt  to  be  fractious  and  petulant. 

I  once  had  a  tame  loris  which  was  especially  fond  of  plantains,  also 
partial  to  small  birds,  which,  when  put  into  his  cage,  he  killed  speedily;  and, 
plucking  the  feathers  off  with  the  skill  of  a  poulterer,  soon  lodged  the  carcass 
in  his  stomach.  He  ate  the  bones  as  well  as  the  flesh;  and  though  birds,  and 
mice  perhaps,  were  his  favorite  food,  he  ate  other  meat  very  readily,  espe- 
cially when  quite  fresh;  if  boiled,  or  otherwise  cooked,  he  would  not  taste  it. 
He  preferred  veal  to  all  other  kinds  of  butchers  meat;  eggs,  also,  he  was 
fond  of,  and  sugar  was  especially  grateful  tO'  his  palate;  he  likewise  ate  gum- 
arabic.  As  flesh  was  not  always  to  be  had  quite  fresh,  he  was  for  some 
time  fed  upon  bread  sopped  in  water,  and  sprinkled  with  sugar;  this  he  ate 
readily,  and  seemed  to  relish  it.  When  food  was  presented  to  him,  if 
hungry,  he  seized  it  with  both  hands,  and,  letting  go  with  his  right,  held  it 
with  his  left  all  the  time  he  was  eating.  Frequently,  when  feeding,  he 
grasped  the  bars  in  the  upper  part  of  his  cage  with  his  hind  paws,  and  hung 
inverted,  appearing  very  much  intent  upon  the  food  he  held  in  his  left  hand. 
He  was  exceedingly  fond  of  oranges;  but,  when  they  were  at  all  hard  he 
seemed  very  much  puzzled  how  to  extract  the  juice,  I  have,  upon  such 
an  occasion,  seen  him  lie  all  his  length  upon  his  back,  in  the  bottom  of  the 
cage,  and,  firmly  grasping  the  piece  of  orange  in  both  hands,  squeeze  the 
juice  into  his  mouth.  He  generally  sat  upon  his  hind  part  (the  hair  of  which 
was  much  worn  by  long  sitting),  close  to  the  bars  of  his  cage,  grasping 
them  firmly  with  his  hind  paws;  he  then  rolled  himself  up  like  a  ball,  with 
his  head  in  his  breast,  his  thighs  closely  placed  over  his  belly,  and  his  arms 
over  his  head,  generally  grasping  the  bars  of  the  cage  with  his  hands  also. 
In  this  position,  and  also  without  moving,  he  remains  the  whole  day.  Upon 
coming  into  the  Channel,  the  cold  weather  affected  him  very  much;  he 
was  seized  with  cramp,  and  I  at  that  time  placed  him  in  a  small  box,  which 
was  filled  w^ith  very  soft  down.  This  he  felt  so  agreeable  that,  when  cold,  he 
never  left  it  during  the  whole  day,  unless  disturbed,  and  slept  in  it  rolled 
up  in  the  shape  of  a  ball. 

His  temper,  in  cold  weather  especially,  was  very  quick;  but,  in  general, 
he  was  rather  timid,  and  never  offered  any  injury  unless  incautiously 
touched,  teased,  or  provoked;  he  then  made  a  shrill,  plaintive  cry,  evidently 
expressive  of  much  annoyance,  and  would  bite  very  sharply. 


THE   STORY  OF  THE   MOLE. 


One  morning,  after  a  rain,  I  traced  the  fresh  passageway  of  a  mole  for 
one  hundred  yards.    The  Httle  animal  had  made  this  gallery  in  one  night. 

I  was  impressed  with  the  enormous  amount  of  work  such  a  small  animal 
could  perform,  and  I  made  some  figures  in  comparison  with  the  labor  of  a 
man.  My  figures  showed,  that  in  proportion  to  size,  a  man  would  have  to 
dig  in  a  single  night  a  tunnel  seven  miles  long  and  of  sufificient  size  to 
easily  admit  his  body  in  order  to  perform  equivalent  work  to  this  mole.  I 
think,  therefore,  that  I  am  right  in  the  conclusion  that  the  mole  is  the  most 
indefatigable  worker  of  the  burrowing  animals  to  be  found  in  the  United 
States. 

^sop  in  his  fables  makes  frequent  reference  to  the  mole,  but  he  was  not 
a  close  student  of  its  habits,  for  he  maligned  the  little  creature  by  saying  it 
had  no  eyes  and  that  it  had  been  condemned  to  spend  its  life  under  ground. 
The  mole  does  live  underground,  but  does  so  from  choice,  and  so 
far  from  being  a  miserable  animal,  it  seems  to  enjoy  its  life  quite  as  much 
as  any  other  creature.  It  is  beautifully  fitted  for  the  station  which  it  fills, 
and  wouild  be  unhappy  if  removed  from  its  accustomed  damp  and  darkness 
into  warmth  and  light. 

262 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    MOLE.  263 

The  eyes  of  the  mole  are  very  small,  in  order  to  prevent  them  from 
being  injured  by  the  earth  through  which  the  animal  makes  its  way;  indeed 
larger  eyes  would  be  useless  underground.  When,  however,  the  mole 
requires  to  use  its  eyes,  it  can  bring  them  forward  from  the  mass  of  fur 
which  conceals  and  protects  them  when  not  in  use.  The  acute  ears  and 
delicate  sense  of  smell  in  the  meantime  supply  the  place  of  eyes.  Its  fur 
is  very  fine,  soft,  capable  of  turning  in  any  direction,  and  will  not  retain 
a  particle  of  mold. 

But  the  most  extraordinary  part  of  the  mole  is  the  paw  or  hand  with 
which  it  digs.  The  two  fore-paws  are  composed  of  five  fingers,  armed  with 
sharp,  strong  nails,  in  order  to  scrape  up  the  earth;  and  to  prevent  the 
accumulated  mold  from  impeding  the  mole's  progress,  the  hands  are  turned 
outwardly,  so  as  to  throw  the  earth  out  of  its  way. 

Although  each  mole  has  its  own  hunting  ground,  yet  there  are  mostly 
high  roads  which  connect  the  different  hunting  grounds  with  each  other, 
and  which  are  used  by  many  individuals  in  common,  the  only  precaution 
taken  being,  that  if  two  moles  should  happen  to  meet,  the  weaker  immedi- 
ately retreats  into  one  of  the  numerous  side  galleries  which  open  from  the 
high  road,  and  permits  its  aristocratical  neighbor  to  pass. 

The  common  web-footed  mole  doubtless  received  its  name  on  account 
of  its  webbed  hind-feet,  which  led  to  the  very  natural  inference  that  it  was 
a  swimming  animal.  But  this  is  a  complete  misnomer,  for  not  only  is  this 
mole  not  known  voluntarily  to  swim,  but  in  the  selection  of  its  haunts 
it  shows  no  preference  for  the  vicinity  of  water,  but  manifests  rather  a 
contrary  tendency.  Its  home  is  underground,  and  its  entire  life  is  spent 
beneath  the  surface.  The  nest  of  this  mole  is  commonly  half  a  foot  or 
mere  below  the  surface,  and  from  it  several  passages  lead  away  in  the  direc- 
tion of  its  favorite  foraging-grounds.  These  primary  passages  gradually 
approach  the  surface,  and  finally  become  continuous  with,  or  open  into,  an 
ever-increasing  multitude  of  tortuous  galleries,  which  wind  about  in  every 
direction,  and  sometimes  come  so  near  the  surface  as  barely  to  escape  open- 
ing upon  it,  while  at  other  times  they  are  several  inches  deep.  Along  the 
most  superficial  of  these  horizontal  burrows  the  earth  is  actually  thrown 
up  in  the  form  of  long  ridges,  by  which  the  animal's  progress  can  be  traced. 
The  distance  that  they  can  thus  travel  in  a  given  time  is  almost  incredible. 

The  dwelling  place  is  usually  placed  near  a  hillock  or  between  trees 
and  consists  of  a  central  chamber  with  passages  conducting  to  two  circular 
galleries  placed  one  above  another.    The  higher  of  these  two  galleries  has 


264 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    MOLE. 


a  smaller  diameter  than  the  lower  one.  From  the  larger  lower  gallery  there 
are  given  off  several  diverging  runs,  one  of  which  is  larger  than  either 
of  the  others,  and  is  known  as  the  main  run,  being  the  one  which  alone, 
leads  to  the  burrows  driven  in  various  directions  for  the  purpose  of  procur- 
ing food.  These  burrows,  or  runs,  except  when  so  close  to  the  surface  as  to 
allow  of  the  earth  being  raised  directly  upwards  in  the  form  of  a  ridge 
showing  their  course,  are  marked  at  intervals  by  the  well-known  "mole- 
hills," which  are  mounds  of  loose  earth  pushed  up  from  below,  and  not 
containing  any  internal  chamber  or  passages. 

Since  the  voracity  of  the  mole  is  proverbial,  and  its  food  consists  exclu- 


THE    MOLE   AND   ITS   BURROW. 


sively  of  earth-worms,  insects,  and  their  larvae,  its  visits  ought  to  be  wel- 
comed alike  by  the  farmer  and  the  gardener.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  how- 
ever, the  mole  has  an  awkward  habit  of  driving  its  tunnels  below  the  drilled 
rows  of  young  farm  and  garden  crops,  by  which  not  only  are  the  roots  of 
the  plants  disturbed,  but  the  whole  row  may  be  dried  up.  Moreover,  it 
appears  pretty  certain  that  field  moles  will  take  advantage  of  runs  driven 
in  such  localities  as  convenient  points  from  which  to  make  inroads  on  the 
sprouting  seeds  or  the  roots  of  the  young  plants.  Then,  again,  in  addition 
to  the  unsightliness  of  a  host  of  mole-hills  in  a  garden,  such  elevations  are 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    MOLE.  265 

inconvenient  in  a  field  of  standing  grass,  as  they  impede  the  process  of 
mowing.  From  these  and  other  circumstances,  farmers  and  gardeners  gen- 
erally unite  in  a  war  of  extermination  against  the  mole,  although  there  can 
be  no  doubt  but  that  in  many  respects  its  visits  are  a  distinct  advantage  to 
its  destroyers. 

The  golden  or  Cape  moles  are  so  different  from  all  others  of  this  group 
that  they  are  referred  to  a  distinct  family.  They  are  entirely  confined  to 
South  Africa,  where  they  are  represented  by  about  seven  species,  and  are 
commonly  termed  moles  by  the  colonists. 

In  appearance  these  animals  have  some  resemblance  to  the  moles,  but 
they  have  shorter  and  thicker  bodies,  with  a  deeper  and  blunter  snout.  The 
whole  form  is,  however,  admirably  adapted  for  tunneling  through  the 
ground;  since  the  eyfs  are  totally  covered  beneath  the  hairy  skin,  and  the 
minute  ears  are  deeply  buried  in  the  fur.  While  the  hind-feet  retain  a  nor- 
mal form,  the  fore-feet  have  been  specially  modified  for  the  purpose  of 
digging,  having  only  four  toes,  of  which  the  two  central  ones  are  fur- 
nished with  enormous  triangular  claws  of  great  power.  The  golden  moles 
derive  both  their  popular  and  scientific  names  from  the  brilliant  metallic 
luster  of  the  fur,  which  shows  various  tints  of  green,  violet,  or  golden  bronze; 
the  brilliancy  of  these  metallic  hues  being  much  intensified  when  the  skin  is 
immersed  in  spirit. 

The  runs  are  made  so  near  the  surface  of  the  ground  that  the  earth 
is  raised  above  the  tunnel,  which  can  accordingly  be  followed  with  ease 
in  all  directions.  When  one  of  the  moles  is  seen  to  be  at  work,  owing 
to  the  movements  of  the  soil,  it  can  readily  be  thrown  up  on  to  the  surface 
by  the  aid  of  a  stick  or  spade.  The  food  of  the  golden  moles  consists  mainly 
of  earth-worms. 


*i 


■t'>mf 


M 


•"* 


Prom  photograph. 


AFRICAN    TWO-HORNED    RHINOCEROS    HEADS. 


266 


HUNTING  THE  RHINOCEROS 

Colonel  Roosevelt  Reported  Killed  by  a  Rhinoceros — Exciting  Fight  with  This 
Ferocious  Beast — The  Natives  Praise  Bwana  Tumbo — Interesting  Facts  About 
the  Rhinoceros. 


•  Early  in  November  tlie  telegraph  wires  flashed  the  exciting  news  to  all 
parts  of  the  civilized  world  that  Colonel  Roosevelt,  the  now  famous  game 
slayer,  had  been  killed  by  a  rhinoceros  while  hunting  on  the  Guas  Ingishu 
Plateau  in  the  Kisumu  pi-ovince  of  British  East  Africa.  It  is  known  that  the 
rhinoceros  hunt  is  a  dangerous  pastime  and  that  scores  of  European  sports- 
men have  lost  their  lives  in  pursuing  this  ferocious  brute.  No  wonder,  then, 
if  all  Mr.  Roosevelt's  friends  felt  uneasy  when  this  story  reached  them.  Mrs. 
Roosevelt  received  the  news,  and  notwithstanding  the  unlikelihood  of  the 
truth  of  the  report  and  successive  denials,  she  spent  several  days  and  nights 
of  intense  anxiety,  scarcely  closing  her  eyes  and  saying  over  and  over  again, 
"It  is  not  true;  I  do  not  believe  it." 

But  at  the  next  moment  she  was  imagining  all  kinds  of  horrors  and  feel- 
ing that  she  could  not  be  tranquil  until  she  really  heard  from  her  husband 
directly. 

Meanwhile  neither  the  Colonial  office  in  London  nor  the  State  Depart- 
ment at  Washington,  nor  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  where  inquiries  were 
made,  had  got  any  information  about  the  rumored  accident.  Messages  were 
dispatched  to  the  telegraph  nearest  the  hunting  party,  and  at  last  the  follow- 
ing reassuring  news  was  received  over  the  transatlantic  cable  from  the  British 
commissioner  at  Eldama :  "Roosevelt  was  in  excellent  health  October  23 
and  news  of  the  party  received  October  30  reported  all  well.  If  anyone  in  the 
party  is  sick  we,  the  nearest  medical  help,  have  received  no  news  of  such 
sickness." 

While  this  story,  which  probably  had  been  let  out  by  New  York  financiers, 
was  setting  the  whole  world  afire,  the  Colonel  was  beating  the  bush  in  the 
Eldama  ravine  in  search  of  bergo,  a  rare  specimen  of  antelope,  which  no  white 
man  ever  has  bagged,  and  as  one  of  his  black-skinned  beaters  put  it,  "No 
rhino  get  Bwana  Tumbo,"  adding  with  a  broad  grin :  "Bwana  Tumbo  get 
rhino  quicker." 

Nevertheless  the  rumor  might  have  been  true,  for  the  two-horned  rhi- 
noceros of  East  Africa  is  a  niost  dangerous  beast.     The  Colonel  has  bagged 

267 


268  HUNTING   THE  RHINOCEROS. 

several  of  these  gigantic  survivors  of  time  past.  One  large  bull  fell  by  a 
missile  from  his  Winchester  barrel  in  the  vicinity  of  Machakos,  while  hunting 
on  the  Kapiti  Plains,  The  party  was  beating  the  bush  for  lions,  when  sud- 
denly a  colossal  rhino  was  discovered  dn  the  plains.  Standing  like  a  huge 
rock  on  the  "velt,"  his  unshapely  form  throwing  an  uncanny  shadow  over 
the  grass,  which  he  was  devouring,  he  was  a  tempting  quarry  tO'  our  bold 
sportsman.  The  monstrous  outlines  of  the  great  beast  stood  out  most  strikingly 
in  the  red  glow  of  the  scorching  tropical  sun.  As  though  moved  by  a  sudden 
impulse  he  swung  round  and  stood  for  a  moment  motionless,  as  though  carved 
in  stone,  its  head  well  raised,  so  that  the  two'  formidable  horns  almost  pressed 
against  the  back  of  its  massive  neck  and  swerved  towards  the  Colonel.  There 
is  something  peculiarly  awe-mspiring  and  menacmg  about  these  weapons  of 
the  rhinoceros.  Not  that  they  really  make  him  a  more  dangerous  customer 
for  the  sportsman  to  tackle,  but  they  certainly  give  that  impression.  The 
thought  of  being"  impaled,  run  through,  by  that  ferocious  dagger  was  by 
no  means  pleasant  to  our  former  President. 

There  was  not  much  time  for  reflection,  however,  for  an  instant  later  the 
big  bull  came  for  him  full  pelt,  spitting  and  snorting  and  thundering  down  in 
its  unwieldly  fashion,  but  at  an  incredible  pace.  For  a  moment  the  Colonel's 
life  hung  by  a  thread.  Nothing  could  save  him  but  a  well-aimed  bullet.  And 
this  time  the  bullet  found  its  billet.  It  came  straight  from  the  ex-presidential 
rifle  and  penetrated  the  neck  of  the  on-rushing  beast — a  bull  of  unusual  size 
which,  tumbling  head  foremost,  just  like  a  rabbit,  dropped  dead  almost  at  the 
proud  hunter's  feet. 

To  see  the  rhinoceros  grazing  or  resting  in  the  midst  of  the  bare  "velt"  or 
to  stalk  them  all  by  himself  or  with  a  native  follower  to  carry  a  rifle  for  him 
was  as  fascinating  an  experience  as  Mr.  Roosevelt  could  desire.  At  the  same 
time  it  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous  forms  of  modern  sport.  An  English  writer 
remarks  with  truth  that  even  the  bravest  man  cannot  always  control  his  senses 
on  such  occasions^— that  he  is  apt  to  get  dazed  and  giddy.  He  knows  that 
the  slightest  unsteadiness  of  his  hand  may  mean  his  destruction.  He  has  to 
advance  a  long  distance  on  all  fours,  or  else  wiggle  along  on  his  stomach  like 
a  serpent,  making  the  utmost  use  of  whatever  cover  offers,  and  keeping  note 
all  the  time  of  the  direction  of  the  wind,  as  the  animal's  scent  is  acute.  He 
has  to  keep  on  his  guard  all  the  time  against  poisonous  snakes  and  he  has  to 
turn  to  his  hunter's  instincts  as  to  how  near  he  must  get  to  his  game  before  he 
fires.  A  distance  of  more  than  a  hundred  paces  is  very  hazardous — above  all, 
if  the  hunter  wants  to  kill  outright. 


HUNTING  THE  RHINOCEROS. 


269 


Photograph,    Underwood. 


EAST    AFRICAN    BULL    RHINOCEROS. 


One  of  our  illustrations  is  a  photographic  reproduction  of  a  huge  bull- 
rhinoceros  killed  in  British  East  Africa.  Its  largest  horn  measures  53;^^ 
inches  in  length.    A  formidable  sight  indeed ! 

There  are  many  ways  in  which  a  hunter  may  be  surprised  by  a  rhinoceros, 
says  a  famous  American  sportsman.  As  he  was  penetrating  the  high  grass 
of  the  "velt"  he  suddenly  perceived,  fifty  paces  in  front  of  him,  a  huge  dark 
object — a  rhinoceros.  It  had  not  become  aware  of  him  yet,  nor  of  the  peril 
awaiting  it.  It  got  up  and  turned  right  in  his  direction.  There  was  no  going 
either  forward  or  backwards  for  him.  The  grass  encumbered  his  legs,  the 
old  growth  mingling  with  the  new  into  an  inextricable  tangle.  The  moment 
was  full  of  excitement.  He  tried  cautiously  to  retreat,  but  his  feet  were  en- 
tangled and  he  slipped.  Instantly  he  jumped  up  again.  The  rhinoceros  had 
heard  the  noise  of  his  fall  and  was  making  a  rush  for  him.  It  was  not  easy 
to  aim  effectively,  but  he  fired.  The  ringing  notes  of  his  rifle  rang  out  like  a 
bird  in  the  air  and  the  next  instant  he  saw  the  huge  beast  disappearing  over 
the  undulating  plain,  the  bullet  having  struck  one  of  his  horns  and  been  turned 
aside,  startling  the  rhino  and  causing  him  to  abandon  his  intended  charge. 

Another  striking  encounter  with  a  rhinoceros  is  thus  described  by  the 
same  traveler  and  sportsman. 


270 


HUNTING  THE  RHINOCEROS. 


"Deep-trodden  paths  led  down  to  the  waterside.  We  follow  them  through 
the  brushwood,  I  leading  the  way,  and  thus  reach  the  stream.  The  rush  and 
the  roar  of  the  river  resounds  in  our  ears,  and  we  catch  the  notes,  too,  of  birds. 
Suddenly  right  in  front  of  me  the  ground  seems  to  quicken  into  life.  My 
first  notion  is  that  it  must  be  a  gigantic  crocodile;  but  no,  it  is  a  rhinoceros 
which  has  just  been  bathing,  and  which  now,  disturbed,  is  glancing  in  our 
direction  and  about  to  attack  us  or  take  to  its  heels,  who  can  say?  Escape 
seems  impossible.  Clasping  my  rifle  I  plunge  back  into  the  dense  brush-wood. 
But  the  tough  viscous  branches  project  me  forward  again.  Now  for  it.  The 
rhinoceros  is  'coming  for  us.'  We  tumble  about  in  all  directions.  Some 
seconds  later  we  exchange  stupefied  glances.  The  animal  has  fled  past  us, 
just  grazing  us  and  bespattering  us  with  mud,  and  has  disappeared  from 
sight.     How  small  we  felt  at  that  moment  I  cannot  express!" 


From  photograph. 


EAST    AFRICAN    RUBBER    FARM. 


One  of  Col.  Roosevelt's  most  extended  hunting  expeditions  in  the  Sotik 
District  and  around  the  beautiful  volcanic  Naivasha  lake  was  undertaken  to 


HUNTING   THE  RHINOCEROS.  271 

give  him  an  opportunity  to  acquire  a  white  rhinoceros  for  the  National 
Museum.  This  variety  is  very  rare  and  the  former  President  was  very 
anxious  to  secure  a  specimen  before  they  are  totally  extinct.  This  district 
is  dotted  with  small  and  large  farms  where  many  Boer  and  German  farmers 
have  settled  down  peacefully  side  by  side  of  the  English  residents.  The 
Colonel  visited  several  of  the  planters  and  was  hospitably  entertained  in  their 
homes.  He  found  that  most  of  these  settlers  had  erected  comfortable  houses 
of  stone  or  wood  covered  with  solid  thatch  roofs,  which  offered  an  excellent 
protection  against  the  scorching  rays  of  the  equatorial  sun.  He  often  par- 
took of  their  frugal  meals,  and  informed  himself  about  their  condition  and 
occupations.  Not  a  few  of  them  he  found  engaged  in  raising  the  rubber 
tree,  which  thrives  exceedingly  well  in  this  hot  climate.  One  of  our  illus- 
trations shows  one  of  these  rubber  plantations  established  by  a  German  couple 
-with  their  native  help.  This  country  is  slowly  being  colonized  by  French, 
Portuguese,  Belgians,  Germans,  Boers  and  English  and  almost  every  nation- 
ality on  the  earth,  and  it  is  only  a  question  of  time  when  it  will  be  a  white 
man's  country,  the  natives  existing  only  in  the  backwoods  and  on  govern- 
ment reservations,  as  our  American  Indians. 

The  rhinoceros  is  favorite  game  both  in  India  and  Africa.  It  has  a 
ferocious  disposition  and  is  hard  to  kill.  The  easiest  and  least  dangerous 
method  is  for  the  hunter  to  conceal  himself  and  shoot  it  when  it  comes 
to  drink  at  the  pool.  The  true  sportsman  prefers  to  hunt  it  on  horseback 
with  dogs. 

As  the  eyes  of  the  rhinoceros  are  very  small,  it  seldom  turns  its  head 
and  therefore  sees  nothing  but  what  is  before  it.  It  is  to  this  that  it  owes 
its  death,  and  never  escapes  if  there  be  so  much  plain  as  to  enable  the 
horses  of  the  hunters  to  get  before  it.  Its  pride  and  fury  then  makes  it 
lay  aside  all  thoughts  of  escaping,  except  by  victory  over  its  enemy.  For 
a  moment  it  stands  at  bay;  then  at  a  start  runs  straight  forward  at  the 
horse  which  is  nearest.  The  rider  easily  avoids  the  attack  by  turning 
short  to  one  side.  This  is  the  fatal  instant;  a  naked  man  who  is  mounted 
behind  the  principal  horseman,  drops  off  the  horse,  and,  unseen  by  the 
rhinoceros,  gives  it,  with  a  sword,  a  stroke  across  the  tendon  of  the 
heel,  which  renders  it  incapable  either  of  flight  or  resistance. 

Several  travelers  have  mentioned  that  there  are  certain  birds  which  con- 
stantly attend  the  rhinoceros,  and  give  him  warning  of  approaching  danger. 
Their  accounts  were  either  received  with  silent  contempt,  or  treated  with 


272  THE  STORY   OF   THE  RHINOCEROS. 

open  ridicule,  as  preposterous  extensions  of  the  traveler's  privilege  of  ro- 
mancing. I  can  bear  witness  to  the  truth  of  these  reports.  Once  while 
hunting  the  rhinoceros  in  Africa,  I  saw  a  huge  female  lying  in  the  jungle 
asleep.  My  first  thought  was  to  photograph  her  and  then  attack  her.  T. 
began  to  crawl  toward  her,  but  before  I  could  reach  the  proper  distance 
several  rhinoceros-birds,  by  which  she  was  attended,  warned  her  of  the 
impending  danger,  by  sticking  their  bills  into  her  ear,  and  uttering  their 
harsh,  grating  cry.  Thus  aroused,  she  suddenly  sprang  to  her  feet,  and 
crashed  away  through  the  jungle  at  a  rapid  trot,  and  I  saw  no  more  of 
her. 

These  rhinoceros-birds  are  constant  attendants  upon  the  hippopotamus 
and  the  four  varieties  of  rhinoceros,  their  object  being  to  feed  upon  the 
ticks  and  other  parasitic  insects  that  swarm  upon  these  animals.  They  are 
of  a  grayish  color,  and  are  nearly  as  large  as  a  common  thrush;  their  voice 
is  very  similar  to  that  of  the  mistletoe-thrush.  Many  a  time  have  these 
ever-watchful  birds  disappointed  me  in  my  stalk,  and  tempted  me  to  invoke 
an  anathema  upon  their  devoted  heads.  They  are  the  best  friends  the 
rhinoceros  has,  and  rarely  fail  to  awaken  him,  even  in  his  soundest  nap. 
''Chukuroo"  perfectly  understands  their  warning,  and  springing  to  his 
feet,  he  generally  first  looks  about  him  in  every  direction,  after  which  he 
invariably  makes  of. 

Next  to  the  elephant  in  size,  comes  the  rhinoceros,  which  with  the 
hippopotamus,  lays  claim  to  bulk  and  ferocity  unequalled  by  any  other  mem- 
ber of  the  animal  kingdom.  The  rhinoceros  is  found  in  the  rivers  of  Cen- 
tral Africa  and  Southern  Asia.     It  can  only  live  in  tropical  climates. 

The  length  of  the  rhinoceros  is  usually  about  twelve  feet,  and  this  is 
also  nearly  the  girth  of  its  body.  The  skin,  which  is  of  a  blackish  color,  is 
disposed,  about  the  neck,  into  large  plaits  or  folds.  A  fold  of  the  same 
kind  passes  from  the  shoulders  to  the  fore  legs;  another  from  the  hind 
part  of  the  back  to  the  thighs.  The  skin  is  naked,  rough,  and  covered  with 
a  kind  of  tubercles,  or  large  callous  granulations.  Between  the  folds,  and 
under  the  belly,  it  is  soft,  and  of  a  light  rose-color.  The  horns  are  com- 
posed of  a  closely-packed  mass  of  horn  fibers,  growing  from  the  skin,  and 
having  no  connection  with  the  bones  of  the  skull,  although  there  are  prom- 
inences on  the  latter  beneath  each  horn.  Although  the  African  species 
arc  entirely  dependent  on  their  enormous  horns,  as  weapons  of  offense  and 
defense,  the  Asiatic  kinds,  in  which  the  horns  are  smaller,  seem  to  rely 
chiefly  upon  their  sharply-pointed  lower  tusks,  which  are  capable  of  inflicting 


THE  STORY   OF   THE  RHINOCEROS. 


273 


terrific  gashes.  All  are  mainly  abroad  at  night,  and  while  some  resemble 
the  tapirs  in  frequenting  tall  grass-jungles  and  swampy  districts,  others 
seem  to  prefer  more  or  less  open  plains.  Their  food  is  entirely  vegetable; 
but  whereas  some  species  live  almost  exclusively  on  grass,  the  food  of  others 
consists  mainly  of  twigs  and  small  bouglis  of  trees.  At  the  present  day 
these  animals  are  restricted  to  South-Eastern  Asia  and  Africa. 

The  single-horned  rhinoceros  is  not  exceeded  in  size  by  any  land 
animal  except  the  elephant,  and  in  strength  and  power  it  gives  place  to  none. 
Its  nose  is  armed  with  a  formidable  weapon,  a  hard  and  solid  horn,  some- 


GREAT    INDIAN    RHINOCEROS. 


times  more  than  three  feet  in  length,  and,  at  the  base,  eighteen  inches  in 
circumference;  and  with  this  it  is  able  to  defend  itself  against  the  attack  of 
every  ferocious  animal. 

The  body  of  the  rhinoceros  is  defended  by  a  skin  so  hard  as  to  be  almost 
impenetrable,  except  in  the  under  parts,  by  either  knife  or  spear. 

Some  hunters  have  created  the  impression  that  the  hide  of  the  rhinoceros 
will  turn  a  leaden  bullet  and  sometimes  an  iron  one.  This  is  a  popular  error, 
for  a  common  leaden  ball  will  pierce  the  hide  at  a  distance  of  thirty  or 
forty  paces,  especially  if  a  double  charge  of  powder  be  used,  which  is  the 


274 


THE  STORY   OF    THE   RHINOCEROS. 


cnstcm  with  all  rhinoceros  hunters.  The  most  deadly  aim  is  just  behind 
the  shoulder.  The  skull  is  too  thick  and  the  brain  pan  too  small  for  a 
successful  shot  at  the  head. 

I  once  had  an  excellent  opportunity  to  observe  the  fighting  quality  of 
the  rhinoceros  in  conflict  with  other  animals.  It  was  in  the  province  of 
Oude.  I  had  become  separated  from  my  men  and  had  lost  my  bearings. 
Night  overtook  me,  and  I  decided  to  camp  on  the  banks  of  a  lagoon  beneath 


INDIAN    RHINOCEROS   FIGHTING   AN   ELEPHANT. 


a  huge  peepul  tree.  How  long  I  had  slept,  I  know  not,  but  the  moon  was 
almost  perpendicular  when  I  awoke,  and  it  was  as  bright  as  day.  A  sud- 
den harsh  scream  was  the  cause  of  my  rousing  up.     I  knew  it  well. 

It  was  the  trumpet  of  an  elephant! 

Instinctively  I  bounded  to  my  feet,  and  looked  around  me  in  consterna- 
tion.    I  was  in  the  midst  of  a  herd  of  wild  elephants! 

The   danger  of  my  position  flashed  on  me  in  an  instant.     The  wild 


THE  STORY    OF    THE  RHINOCEROS. 


275 


elephant  is  a  dangerous  brute  at  the  best  of  times,  but  at  night,  and  in 
herds,  he  tramples  over  everything,  and  feels  more  at  home  and  free  from 
danger  than  in  the  day,  apparently. 

But  these  elephants  did  not  seem  to  be  aware  of  my  presence.  They 
were  evidently  excited  about  something  else,  and  had  not  observed  me, 
asleep  in  the  shadow  of  the  peepul. 

They  were  rushing  about  in  the  open  ground,  most  of  those  I  could 
see  being  females,  as  I  knew  by  the  absence  of  the  tusks,  and  some  sort 


INDIAN    RHINOCEROS    AFTER    SHEDDING    ITS    HORN, 


of  contest  seemed  to  be  going  on  among  them.  What  it  was,  I  could  not 
see  at  first. 

At  last  a  chorus  of  trumpetings  and  vicious  pig-like  squeals  broke  out 
from  the  center  of  the  mioving  mass,  and  I  saw  the  female  elephants  scatter 
right  and  left  in  dismay. 

Then  I  discerned  a  terrible  conflict.  A  huge  bull  elephant  rushed  for- 
ward, with  his  trunk  curled  up  tightly  behind  the  long  formidable  tusks 
out  of  harm's  way,  striving  to  pierce  a  strange  antagonist. 

A  long,  low,  uncouth-looking  beast,  of  some  five  feet  in  height  at  the 


276  THE  STORY   OF  THE  RHINOCEROS. 

shoulder,  and  shaped  much  Hke  an  immense  hog,  was  running  full  tilt  at 
the  old  elephant. 

The  short,  upright  horn  on  the  snout,  the  contour  of  the  animal,  and 
the  loose  folds  of  skin  that  covered  his  ribs,  proclaimed  that  most  dangerous 
of  -all  animals,  the  Indian  rhinoceros. 

If  it  had  been  alone,  and  I  had  met  it,  I  should  have  counted  myself 
lost,  such  is  the  sullen  and  vindictive  nature  of  this  horrible  beast.  It  is 
the  only  animal  known  that  will  attack  man  habitually,  wherever  met,  and 
all  the  other  wild  beasts  of  India  fear  and  avoid  it. 

But  for  the  present  the  attention  of  the  rhinoceros  was  fully  engaged. 
Besides  the  old  bull  now  charging  at  him,  another  younger  one  was  skulk- 
ing around  to  take  him  in  the  rear,  and  a  third  lay  close  by,  with  his  entrails 
gushing  out  of  a  frightful  wound  inflicted  by  the  deadly  horn.  As  I 
looked,  the  old  bull  elephant  made  his  charge,  that  seemed  as  if  it  would 
carry  everything  before  it. 

But  the  rhinoceros,  with  surprising  agility  for  a  creature  of  such  unwieldy 
appearance,  leaped  actively  to  one  side,  and,  running  around,  tried  hard 
to  get  in  at  the  unprotected  flank  of  the  elephant.  The  latter  as  sharply 
threw  his  hind-quarters  around,  and  received  the  pig-like  brute  on  his  tusks. 
But,  deprived  of  the  impetus  of  his  charge,  he  was  unable  to  pierce  the  tough 
hide  of  the  rhinoceros,  which  is  thick  enough  to  turn  a  leaden  bullet  at 
close  quarters. 

Then  the  two  stood  head  to  head  for  some  minutes,  the  rhinoceros  striv- 
ing to  wriggle  his  way  between  the  forelegs  of  the  elephant,  to  use  his  horn 
with  effect.  The  elephant,  on  his  part,  strove  hard  to  pin  the  rhinoceros  to 
4he  earth,  but  in  vain. 

Presently  I  noticed  the  second  elephant.  He  was  charging,  and  close 
to  the  rhinoceros.  The  latter  saw  him,  too,  and  suddenly  broke  away  from 
his  first  antagonist,  rushing  to  meet  the  second.  The  young  buU  charged 
gallantly,  but  he  was  not  up  to  the  tricks  of  his  wily  adversary.  The 
rhinoceros  swerved,  as  he  came,  and  the  excited  elephant  missed  his  mark, 
lumbering-  past  in  vain  effort.  Not  so  the  rhinoceros.  As  quick  as  thought 
he  rushed  in  at  the  unguarded  side  of  his  heedless  foe,  and  I  could  see  him 
working  away  at  the  elephant's  side,  like  a  pig  rooting.  The  elephant  gave 
a  hoarse  roar  of  pain,  and  tried  to  turn,  but  the  active  rhinoceros  was  too 
quick  for  him,  and  he  fell  down,  helpless  and  dying. 

And  now  came  the  turn  of  the  old  bull.  Cautious  and  wary,  he  \vatched 
his  opportunity,  and  rushed  at  the  rhinoceros  from  the  side.     The  latter, 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   RHINOCEROS. 


277 


owing  to  his  engagement  with  his  other  enemy,  and  his  somewhat  defective 
vision,  did  not  see  him  till  too  late. 

The  great  bull  elephant  thundered  on  like  an  avalanche,  and  in  an 
instant  more  the  terrible  tusks,  nearly  seven  feet  in  length  in  the  clear,  as 
I  judged,  were  buried  in  the  side  of  the  redoubtable  rhinoceros. 

A  shrill  squeal  of  pain  from  the  latter,  and  he  tried  in  vain  to  extricate 
himself.  The  battle  was  over.  He  had  slain  two  elephants,  and  died  game 
himself. 

I  cannot  tell  you  the  absorbing  interest  with  which  I  had  watched  this 


TWO-HORNED    AFRICAN    RHINOCEROS. 


curious  conflict.  True  I  was  an  unwilling  spectator,  for  I  did  not  dare  to 
move  out  of  the  shadow  of  the  tree,  for  fear  of  attracting  notice.  Now, 
however,  an  idea  struck  me. 

Excited  and  furious  as  the  old  l)ull  was,  it  was  probable  that  the  flush  of 
his  victory  might  make  him  tenfold  more  dangerous  to  me. 

The  battle  had  moved  so  close  to  me,  during  the  vicissitudes  of  its 
varying  fortune,  that  the  last  elephant,  in  his  fall,  had  almost  brushed  the 
foliage  of  a  bush  I  stood  behind,     My  resolution  was  taken  in  an  instant. 


278  THE  STORY   OF   THE  RHINOCEROS. 

I  must  kill  the  old  bull,  or  be  killed  myself  almost  inevitably.  He  was 
not  ten  feet  from  me,  and  striving  to  pull  clear  from  the  body  of  the 
rhinoceros,  which  he  had  pinned  into  the  very  ground. 

I  ran  round  the  fallen  elephant,  and,  before  he  could  draw  clear,  I  stood 
almost  touching  his  temple  with  my  rifle. 

One  flash!  It  was  enough!  Struck  through  the  brain,  the  old  bull 
dropped  instantaneously,  and  I  was  safe! 

The  female  elephants,  panic-stricken  at  the  noise  and  the  flash,  scattered 
in  all  directions  in  dismay. 

In  five  minutes  I  was  alone! 

In  Southeastern  Africa  both  species  of  rhinoceros  generally  leave  their 
lairs  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  or,  in  districts  where  there  are  many 
human  beings,  somewhat  later.  Tliey  commence  feeding  in  the  direction  of 
their  drinking  places,  to  which  they  travel  by  regular  beaten  paths,  and  arrive 
at  the  same  somewhere  about  dark.  If  the  drinking  place  is  a  mudhole  they 
frequently  refresh  themselves  with  a  roll,  after  drinking  their  fill.  They 
then  start  for  their  favorite  thorn  feeding  grounds,  where  they  remain  till 
daybreak,  when  they  generally  again  drink.  At  an  earlier  or  later  hour  after 
this,  the  time  being  to  some  extent  dependent  on  the  freedom  of  the  district 
from  human  intrusion,  they  retire  tO'  their  sleeping  places,  which  they  reach 
at  any  rate  before  the  heat  of  the  day.  The  lair  is  always  in  an  extremely 
sheltered  and  deeply-shaded  spot,  and  so  heavily  do  they  slumber  that  a 
practiced  stalker  could  almost  touch  them  with  the  muzzle  of  a  gun,  unless 
they  are  awakened  by  the  birds  which  always  accompany  them. 


WART-HOG'S  NATIVE  HAUNTS 


Mr.  Roosevelt  Kills  a  Wart-hog — The  Ugliest  Animal  He  Saw  in  Africa — The  Story 
of  This  Beast. 


While  our  ex-President  did  not  care  so  much  for  the  small  game  that 
crowded  his  African  hunting  grounds,  but  rather  went  for  the  big  monsters 
which,  to  the  genuine  sportsman,  furnish  the  chief  attraction  of  the  wilderness, 
still  he  did  not  fail  to  take  notice  of  all  other  interesting  members  of  the 
animal  kingdom  that  crossed  his  hunting  trail.     One  of  the  strangest  and 


Photograph,  Underwood. 


YOUNG   EAST    AFRICAN   WART-HOG. 


279 


280 


WART-HOG'S  NATIVE  HAUNTS. 


ugliest  of  these  inhabitants  of  the  tropics — the  wart-hog — was  shot  by  him 
a  few  days  after  his  first  Hon  hunt,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Potha. 

Our  illustration  represents  a  scene  that  might  have  been  observed  by  the 
Roosevelt  hunting  expedition  as  its  members  were  roving  around  along  the 
plains.  The  leopard  has  climbed  up  a  tree  and  is  hiding  on  a  branch,  eagerly 
watching  for  its  savory  prey.  He  crouches  for  a  sudden  leap  as  soon  as 
the  unsuspecting  victim  comes  within  his  reach.  He  generally  dives  for  its 
thick  neck,  in  whose  soft  and  tender  flesh  he  buries  his  sharp  and  pointed 
teeth  before  the  hog  has  time  to  prepare  for  defense.     With  his  powerful 


From  photograph. 


HEAD   OF   WART-HOG. 


jaws  around  its  neck  and  his  elastic  paws,  armed  with  needle-like  claws,  in 
its  flanks,  the  leopard  cannot  be  shaken  off  and  the  struggle  generally  ends 
with  the  death  of  the  hog. 

The  animal  bagged  by  Mr.  Roosevelt  was  an  old  sow,  who  was  grazing 
on  the  "velt"  with  her  young  ones.  He  found  that  the  wart-hog,  notwith- 
standing its  comparatively  small  size,  is  a  dangerous  foe  to  meet.     It  often 


LEOPARD  READY  TO  LEAP  ON  A  WART-HOG. 


281 


282  WART-HOG'S  NATIVE  HAUNTS. 

succeeds  in  placing  the  hunter's  Hfe  in  jeopardy  and  ripping  up  his  horse 
with  its  long  tusks,  leaving  him  to  choose  between  continuing  the  fight  on  foot 
or  seeking  his  salvation  in  a  sudden  flight. 

The  flesh  of  this  animal  is  as  delicious  and  tender  as  that  of  our  tame  hogs 
and  it  is  often  hunted  to  supply  the  tables  of  the  African  farmers  with  one 
of  its  most  savory  and  tempting  dishes.  After  having  secured  a  few  boars 
as  specimens  for  the  National  Museum,  Mr.  Roosevelt  killed  no  more  wart- 
hogs,  except  when  it  was  necessary  to  get  some  fresh  meat  for  his  native 
servants. 

Travelers  in  East  Africa  have  many  stories  to  tell  about  the  fury  and 
savage  ferocity  of  this  beast.  It  never  attacks  man  unless  in  self-defense, 
but  when  pursued  and  brought  at  bay  it  shows  an  ugly  disposition  and  fights 
bravely  for  its  life.  It  is  no  coward  and  very  seldom  takes  refuge  to  its  under- 
ground caves   when   persecuted   by  native  hunters,   or  other   wild   animals. 

The  wart-hog  is  an  interesting  animal,  and  while  still  very  numerous  in 
Africa  it  is  probably  doomed  to  extinction,  as  it  is  constantly  retiring  before 
the  advancing  civilization  and  cannot  be  domesticated.  The  following  facts 
as  to  its  nature  and  habits  will  no  doubt  deserve  our  readers'  attention : 

I  do  not  know  of  any  uglier  animal  than  the  wart-hog,  with  its  huge 
tusks,  big  warty  protuberances  below  the  eyes  and  fierce-looking  bristly  mane. 
They  are  found  over  a  large  part  of  Eastern  Africa,  and  are  dangerous  animals 
to  come  upon  unawares. 

In  Abyssinia,  its  habits  are  very  similar  to  those  of  ordinary  pigs.  It 
lives  amongst  bushes  or  in  ravines  during  the  day,  and  comes  out  tO'  feed  in 
the  evening,  still  keeping  much  tO'  bush-jungle.  The  large  males  are  usually 
solitary ;  the  younger  animals  and  females  live  in  small  herds,  apparently  not 
exceeding  eight  or  ten  in  number.  I  never  saw  large  "sounders,"  such  as 
are  so  commonly  met  with  in  the  case  of  the  Indian  hog.  It  feeds  much  on 
roots,  which  it  digs  up  by  means  of  its  huge  tusks.  It  also  appears  to  dig 
large  holes,  in  which  it  occasionally  lies;  these  are  perhaps  intended  for  the 
young.  Despite  its  formidable  appearance,  the  Abyssinian  wart-hog  is  a 
comparatively  timid  animal,  far  inferior  in  courage  to  the  Indian  wild  hog. 
Several  which  I  wounded  showed  no^  inclination  tO'  charge  under  circumstances 
in  which  an  Indian  pig  would  certainly  have  shown  fight.  The  flesh  is  savory, 
but  dry  and  hard,  even  in  comparatively  young  animals. 

When  brought  to-  bay  by  dogs,  wart-hogs  make  a  determined  stand,  and 
inflict  severe  injuries  on  their  assailants.  If  excited,  they  carry  their  long 
tails  stuck  straight  upright. 


THE  STORY   OF  THE   WART-HOG. 


283 


In  South-Easterii  Africa — where  they  are  known  to-  the  natives  by  the 
name  of  Indhlovudawani — wart-hogs  are  found  on  the  plains  in  Hght  thorn- 
jungles  ;  and  they  are  abundant  in  the  districts  around  Mount  Kilima-Njaro. 
In  those  regions  they  generally  occupy  the  deserted  burrow  of  an  aard-vark, 
or  other  animal.  They  have  a  most  curious  mode  of  exit  when  they  bolt — 
a  dangerous  one  if  you  are  not  up  to  it.  As  they  emerge  from  a  hole,  they 
turn  a  somersault  on  to  the  back  of  it,  instead  of  coming  straight  out  like 
an  ordinary  animal,  and  as  that  is  just  the  spot  where  one  would  naturally 


WART    HOG    OF    SOUTH    EASTERN    AFRICA. 


stand,  more  than  one  man  has  had  his  legs  ripped  open  before  he  learnt  the 
wisdom  of  experience.  On  more  than  one  occasion  I  have  seen  a  male  wart- 
hog  walk  deliberately  through  a  pack  of  large  hounds  without  taking  the 
slightest  notice  of  them,  sO'  long  as  they  refrained  from  biting.  Did,  however, 
one  bolder  than  the  rest,  venture  to  come  to  close  quarters,  the  wart-hog  with 
a  sudden  jerk  would  either  lay  its  assailant  crippled  on  the  ground,  or  send 
It  howling  away. 

The  young  are  striped,  as  are  the  young  of  the  wild  boar. 


STORY   OF  THE   LINSANG. 


Next  to  the  ocelot,  I  think  the  linsang-  is  the  most  beautifully  marked  ani- 
mal I  ever  met.  The  linsang  is  related  to  the  civet  and  there  are  four  varieties 
of  it,  three  Oriental  and  one  African. 

It  has  a  long,  slender  body,  short  limbs,  long  head  and  neck,  and  a  tail 
longer  than  the  head  and  body  combined.  The  claws  can  be  completely  with- 
drawn within  their  sheaths ;  the  soles  of  the  feet  are  hairy. 

It  has  nO'  scent  pouch  like  the  civet. 

It  is  not  only  in  the  color  of  its  fur,  but  the  texture  also',  that  the  linsang 
is  beautiful.  The  fur  is  short  and  soft  and  so  thick  that  the  skin  of  the  animal 
looks  like  a  pile  of  velvet.  The  ground  color  is  reddish,  freely  marked  with 
bold  black  spots,  while  the  long  tail  is  circled  by  black  rings. 

This  striking  combination  and  arrangement  of  colors  has  suggested  the 
name  of  tiger-civet  for  this  animal,  but  it  is  better  known  by  the  name  of 
linsang. 

They  are  all  flesh-eating  animals,  but  some  of  them  alsO'  feed  upon  insects. 
The  linsangs  of  Asia  have  larger  spots  than  the  African  species. 

The  earliest  known  of  these  animals -was  the  Javan  linsang  from  Java, 
Borneo,  and  perhaps  Sumatra.     It  is  the  smallest  of  the  linsangs. 

The  Burmese  linsang,  which  is  the  largest,  and  handsomest,  of  the  group, 
appears  tO'  be  a  rare  animal,  and  is  at  present  known  only  by  twO'  specimens, 
one  obtained  from  near  Moulmein,  and  the  other  in  South  Tenasserim.     The 

284 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    LIN  SANG. 


285 


tail  is  slightly  shorter  than  the  head  and  body ;  the  length  of  the  two  latter 
being  about  nineteen  inches,  and  that  of  the  former  (including  the  hair  at  the 
tip)  just  under  seventeen  inches.  The  body  has  a  grayish  ground-color, 
marked  with  about  six  very  broad  and  somewhat  irregular  brownish-black 


LINSANGS. 


bands  extending-  across  the  back,  and  separated  by  very  narrow  intervals.  On 
the  flanks  and  neck  the  markings  form  broken  lines  and  spots,  one  very  distinct 
line  always  extending  from  behind  the  ear  tO'  the  shoulder.  The  outer  surfaces 
of  the  fore-limbs  and  of  the  thighs  are  spotted ;  and  the  tail  has  seven  com- 
plete dark  rings,  separated  by  narrower  light  interspaces. 


286  THE   STORY   OF   THE   LIN  SANG. 

The  spotted  linsang,  which  is  found  from  the  Southeastern  Himalaya  tO' 
Yunan,  is  a  somewhat  smaller  animal;  the  length  of  the  head  and  body  being 
only  fifteen  inches.  It  is  readily  distinguished  by  its  coloration ;  the  back  being 
marked  with  rows  of  large  oblong  spots,  instead  of  bands. 

A  tame  specimen  of  this  beautiful  animal  was  once  kept  by  a  Mr.  Hodgson 
in  Nipal.  He  describes  it  as  very  docile,  fond  of  notice,  and  never  giving  vent 
to  any  kind  of  sound.  It  was  free  from  the  strong  odor  characteristic  of  the 
true  civets,  and  was  fed  upon  raw  meat.  He  states  that  in  its  wild  condition 
this  species  is  equally  at  home  on  trees  and  on  the  ground;  and  that  it  dwells 
and  breeds  in  the  hollows  of  decayed  trees.  It  preys  chiefly  upon  small  birds, 
upon  which  it  is  wont  to  pounce  from  the  coover  oi  the  grass. 

The  African  linsang,  of  which  some  of  the  distinctive  characters  have  been 
already  mentioned,  is  foimd  only  on  the  West  Coast,  in  Sierra  Leone  and 
Fernando'  Po,  and  is,  therefore,  widely  separated  from  its  Oriental  relatives. 
The  tail  is  somewhat  longer  than  the  head  and  body,  measuring  upwards  of 
forty  and  one-half  inches;  whereas  the  total  length  of  the  head  and  body  is  but 
thirty-eight  inchea.  The  spots,  as  already  mentioned,  are  smaller  than  in  the 
Oriental  linsangs,  and,  with  the  exception  of  some  stripes  on  the  back  of  the 
head,  and  a  line  extending  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  ear  tO'  the  shoulder, 
do  not  run  together  into  lines  or  patches.  The  tail  is  peculiar  in  that  the  light 
rings  separating  the  large  dark  bands  are  divided  in  the  middle  by  very  narrow 
dark  rings. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  FOX. 


Fox-hunting  is  a  common  but  exciting  sport  in  both  England  and 
America.  Both  the  red  and  the  gray  fox  leave  a  trail  that  is  easily  fol- 
lowed by  the  hounds.  The  well-known  scent  of  the  fox  is  secreted  as  it 
runs  and  is  easily  detected  by  the  human  as  well  as  the  canine  nose.  There 
is  no  doubt  that  the  natural  cunning  of  the  fox  has  been  greatly  increased 
by  long  experience  in  matching  its  w4ts  against  dogs  and  hunters,  for  in 
countries  where  the  fox  is  not  hunted  it  is  far  less  cunning  than  either  the 
gray  or  red  fox  of  x\merica  and  England. 

The  reds  are  bolder  in  pursuit,  and  hunt  over  a  much  greater  territory 

than  the  grays.     Whether  the  grays  ever  climb  trees  in  pursuit  of  prey  I 

am  uncertain,  but  they  take  to  a  tree  as  readily  as  a  cat  when  run  hard  by 

hounds.     I  think    it    nearly  certain  that  they  climb    for    persimmons  and 

grapes.     Red  foxes  never  climb  trees  under  any  circumstances;  when  hard 

run  they  go  to  earth.     Gray  foxes  run  before  hounds  only  a  short  distance, 

doubling  constantly  and  for  a  short  time,  when  they  either  hole  in  a  tree, 

or  climb  one.      I   have  known  the  red  fox  to   run   straight  away  nearly 

twenty   miles.     Very  commonly  they  run   eight   or  ten   miles  away,   and 

then  run  back  in  a  parallel  course.     I  have  know'n  them  to  run  the  four 

sides  of  a  square.     It  is  doubtful  wdiether  a  first-rate  specimen  of  the  red 

fox,  taken  at  his  best  in  point  of  condition,  can  either  be  killed  or  run  to 

earth  by  any  pack  of  hounds  living,  such  are  his  matchless  speed  and  en- 

287 


288 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    FOX. 


durance.  It  is  but  a  sorry  pack  which  fails  to  kill  or  tree  a  gray  fox  in 
an  hour's  run.  The  young  of  the  gray  fox  closely  resemble  small  blackish 
puppies;  those  of  the  red  fox  are  distinctly  fox-like  from  the  hour  of  their 
birth. 

Many  tales  are  related  of  the  fox's  cunning  when  pursued,  such  as 
driving  another  fox  out  of  its  home,  and  forcing  it  to  substitute  itself  as 
the  chase;  diving  into  a  heap  of  manure,  so  that  the  dogs  could  not  perceive 
its  scent;  jumping  over  a  wall,  running  a  little  way,  coming  back  again, 
and  lying  under  the  wall  until  all  the  dogs  had  passed,  and  then  leaping 


RED    FOXES    IN    WINTER. 


a  second  time  over  the  same  place  where  it  had  passed  before,  and  making 
off  on  its  old  track. 

On  the  banks  of  the  Kentucky  River  rise  huge  rocky  bluffs,  many 
feet  in  height.  A  fox  that  lived  near  this  river  was  constantly  hunted,  and 
as  regularly  lost  over  the  bluff.  Now,  nothing  short  of  wings  would  have 
enabled  the  animal  to  escape  with  life  down  a  perpendicular  cliff.  At  last 
I  determined  to  discover  the  means  by  which  the  animal  baffled  all  of  us, 
and  I  concealed  myself  near  the  bluff. 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    FOX. 


289 


Accordingly,  in  good  time  the  fox  came  to  the  top  of  the  cHff  and 
looked  over.  He  then  let  himself  down  the  face  of  the  cliff  by  a  movement 
between  a  leap  and  a  slide,  and  landed  on  a  shelf  not  quite  a  foot  in  width 
about  ten  feet  down. 

The  fox  then  disappeared  in  a  hole  above  the  shelf.  On  examination 
the  shelf  turned  out  to  be  the  mouth  of  a  wide  fissure  in  the  rock,  into 
which  the  fox  always  escaped. 


S^>^^^^ 


ARCTIC    FOX   WITH    MURRE'S   EGG. 


But  how  was  he  to  get  out  again?  He  might  slide  down  ten  feet,  but 
he  could  never  leap  ten  feet  from  a  ten-inch  shelf  up  the  face  of  a  per- 
pendicular rock.  This  impossibility  caused  me  to  make  a  search,  and  at 
length  I  discovered  an  easier  entrance  into  the  cave  from  the  level  ground. 

The  fox  was  too  wise  to  use  that  entrance  when  the  hounds  were  be- 
hind him,  so  he  was  accustomed  to  cut  short  the  scent  by  dropping  down 


290  THE   STORY   OF   THE   FOX. 

the  rock,  and  then,  when  all  the  dogs  were  at  the  edge  of  the  cliff,  he 
walked  out  at  his  leisure  by  the  other  entrance. 

The  fox  is  a  native  of  almost  every  quarter  of  the  globe;  it  is  of  so 
wild  and  savage  a  nature,  that  it  is  impossible  fully  to  tame  him.  He  is 
esteemed  the  most  sagacious  and  crafty  of  all  the  beasts  of  prey.  The 
former  quality  he  shows  in  his  mode  of  providing  for  himself  an  asylum, 
where  he  retires  from  pressing  dangers,  dwells,  and  brings  up  his  young; 
and  his  craftiness  is  discovered  by  his  schemes  to  catch  lambs,  geese,  hens, 
all  kinds  of  small  birds,  rabbits  and  field  mice. 

When  it  is  possible  for  him  conveniently  to  do  so,  the  fox  forms  his 
burrow  near  the  border  of  a  wood,  in  the  neighborhood  of  -some  farm  or 
village.  He  there  listens  to  the  crowing  of  the  cocks,  and  the  cries  of  the 
poultry.  He  scents  them  at  a  distance;  he  chooses  his  time  with  judgment; 
he  conceals  his  road,  as  well  as  his  design;  he  slips  forward  with  caution, 
sometimes  even  trailing  his  body;  and  seldom  makes  a  fruitless  expedition. 
If  he  can  leap  the  wall,  or  creep  in  underneath,  he  ravages  the  barn-yard, 
puts  all  to  death,  and  retires  softly  with  his  prey;  which  he  either  hides 
under  the  adjacent  herbage,  or  carries  off  to  his  kennel. 

With  regard  to  the  caution  displayed  by  foxes  in  taking  a  bait,  T  once 
had  the  good  fortune  of  observing,  on  a  winter  evening,  a  fox  which 
for  many  preceding  days  had  been  allured  with  loop  baits,  and  as  often 
as  it  ate  one  it  sat  comfortably  down,  wagging  his  brush.  The  nearer  it 
approached  the  trap,  the  longer  did  it  hesitate  to  take  the  baits,  and  the 
oftener  did  it  make  the  tour  round  the  catching-place.  When  arrived  near 
the  trap,  it  squatted  down,  and  eyed  the  bait  for  ten  iiiinutes  at  least; 
whereon  it  ran  three  or  four  times  round  the  trap,  then  it  stretched  out 
cue  oi£  its  fore-pa,ws  after  the  bait,  but  did  not  touch  it;  again  a  pause, 
during  which  the  fox  stared  immovably  at  the  bait.  At  last,  as  if  in 
despair,  the  animal  made  a  rush,  and  was  caught  by  the  neck. 

The  kit  fox  is  the  smallest  and  prettiest  of  North  American  foxes.  It 
lives  in  an  open,  treeless  district  and  makes  its  burrow  in  the  ground.  The 
back  and  tail  are  dark  gray  and  the  under  parts  white. 

The  Arctic  fox,  which  is  found  all  over  the  Arctic  region,  differs  from 
all  other  members  of  the  fox  family,  particularly  in  its  change  of  dress 
from  summer  to  winter.  In  summer  it  is  bluish  gray  on  the  back,  and 
white  beneath.  In  the  winter  its  coat  turns  to  a  pure  wdiite,  so  that  it 
can  scarcely  be  distinguished  from  its  snowy  surroundings.  In  the  long 
Arctic  nights  the  hunter  constantly  hears  its  yapping  bark.     In  the  sum- 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   FOX, 


39] 


mer  it  preys  upon  the  numerous  land  and  aquatic  birds.  Wliat  it  lives 
on  in  winter  when  the  birds  have  left  for  a  southern  latitude  no  one 
seems  to  know,  although  it  is  believed  that,  like  the  squirrel,  they  lay  by 
a  store  of  provisions  during  the  summer  months.  The  Arctic  fox  is 
fond  of  bird's  eggs  as  well  as  of  birds,  and  I  once  shot  one  which  had  a 
murre's  o^gg  in  its  mouth. 

In  Asia  there  are  several  breeds  of  desert  foxes,  the  largest  specimens 


AFRICAN    ASSE   FOX. 


having  a  striped  appearance.  In  Central  Asia  we  find  the  Corsac  fox,  of 
a  paler  color,  white  under  parts,  a  black-tipped  tail,  and  lacking  the  stripe 
of  the  desert  fox. 

It  is  a  thin-brained  creature,  possessing  none  of  the  cunning  of  the  red 
and  gray  foxes  of  Europe  and  America.  It  is  too  lazy  to  make  its  own 
burrow,  and  finds  its  home  in  the  burrow  of  the  marmot,  which  that  animal 
has  either  deserted  or  from  which  he  has  been  evicted. 

Of  the  true  foxes  the  pretty  little  Indian  fox  is  the  smallest,  measuring 


292 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   FOX. 


only  twenty  inches  from  the  tip  of  the  snout  to  the  root  of  the  tail.  Its 
fur  is  gray,  tinged  with  red.  It  is  by  no  means  timid,  and  I  have  shot 
one  that  walked  up  boldly  to  my  camp.  Its  burrow  is  in  the  open  plain, 
and  it  lives  on  lizards,  rats,  crabs,  wdiite  ants  and  various  insects. 

The  Indian  fox  has  no  scent,  and  therefore  is  seldom  hunted  with 
hounds. 

Another  small  and  pretty  member  of  the  fox  family  is  the  fennec,  of 
Northern  Africa.     It  has  enormous  ears  for  such  a  small  animal.     The  color 


FENNECS,    OR   AFRICAN    FOXES. 


of  the  fur  varies  from  fawn  to  buf¥,  the  under  parts  being  white,  and  the 
tail  black. 

Like  the  common  fox,  the  fennec  makes  a  burrow,  which  is  generally 
in  the  tufts  of  low  plants  in  the  desert.  The  inside  of  the  burrow  is  lined 
with  feathers,  hair,  and  soft  vegetable  substances,  and  is  remarkable  for  its 
cleanliness.  The  burrows  are  made  with  wonderful  rapidity — so  quickly, 
indeed,  that  the  animal  seems  to  sink  intO'  the  ground. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  WEASEL. 


No  one  would  think,  on  seeins^  a  weasel  for  the  hrst  time,  that  the 
graceful,  slender  little  animal,  w-ith  its  brown  back,  pretty,  white  throat, 
funny  face,  and  sparkling  eyes,  was  such  a  fierce,  bloodthirsty  creature.  But 
that  little  head  is  full  of  murderous  designs,  and  has  the  courage  of  a  giant. 
Rats  and  mice  are  everywhere  hunted  out  and  destroyed  by  the  weasel.  It 
inflicts  a  bite  on  the  head  which  pierces  the  brain,  and  seldom  fails  to  lay 
the  victim  dead  at  its  feet  by  one  stroke. 

The  weasel  is  also  a  destroyer  of  newly-hatched  chickens  and  young 
ducks,  as  well  as  of  the  smaller  feathered  tribe;  and  although  it  does  good 
service  in  keeping  down  the  mice,  it  is  a  bad  neighbor  to  the  hare  and  rabbit- 
warren.  It  is  a  most  active  and  persevering  hunter;  few  trees  will  stop  it 
when  in  search  of  birds'  nests,  which  it  robs,  not  only  by  sucking  the  eggs, 
but  by  carrying  off  the  young. 

The  weasel  is  excessively  useful  to  farmers  on  account  of  its  unrelenting 
war  on  rats  and  mice,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time  it  extirpates 
them  from  a  barn  or  stack.  It  hunts  by  scent  like  dogs,  and  tracks  the 
unfortunate  rat  with  the  most  deadly  certainty.  It  is  so  courageous  that 
it  will  even  attack  men,  and  is  by  no  means  a  despicable  antagonist,  as  its 
instinct  invariably  leads  it  to  dash  at  the  throat,  where  a  bite  from  its  long 
sharp  teeth  is  always  dangerous. 

293 


294  THE    STORY    OF    THE    WEASEL. 

The  weasel's  nest  is  composed  of  dry  leaves  and  herbage,  and  is  made  in 
a  hollow  tree,  dry  ditch  or  hole  in  the  side  of  a  bank.  If  any  one  approaches 
the  nest  while  the  young  are  helpless,  the  mother  and  often  the  male  will 
attack  the  intruder  with  great  fury,  showing  courage  to  a  remarkable  degree. 

The  pretty  little  South  African  weasel  is  worthy  of  mention,  not  only 
on  account  of  its  remarkable  coloration,  but  also  as  being  the  sole  represen- 
tative of  the  weasels  in  Africa  south  of  the  Sahara.  This  species  is  distin- 
guished from  all  the  other  weasels  by  having  the'  ground-color  of  the  fur 
black,  with  the  upper  part  of  the  head  and  neck  white,  and  four  pale 
brownish  white  stripes  running  along  the  back;  the  tapering  tail  being  white. 

I  have  on  several  occasions  witnessed  this  animal  tantalize  the  lion  and 
otiier  large  animals  of  South  Africa.  It  has  a  shrill  cry,  and,  secure  in  its  nest 
among  the  rocks,  it  comes  to  the  entrance  and  sets  up  a  peculiar  moan. 
Should  a  lion  be  within  hearing  he  proceeds  to  investigate,  and  the  moan 
is  lessened  until  the  lion  believes  himself  about  to  find  a  victim.  When  he 
approaches  quite  near,  the  little  creature  retreats  to  a  secure  place  but  con- 
tinues its  cry.     The  lion  after  a  vain  search  gives  up  the  attempt. 

The  weasel  is  very  often  called  "wormlike,"  and  a  better  name  could 
scarcely  be  applied  to  it,  for  anything  more  wormlike  could  hardly 
be  imagined  in  a  hairy  quadruped  or  four-footed  animal.  The  legs 
are  extremely  short  in  relation  tO'  the  body,  which  is  slender  in  the  highest 
degree,  and  almost  regularly  cylindrical  from  one  end  to  the  other.  Then 
the  neck  is  of  most  disproportionate  length,  and  carries  the  head  out  so  far, 
that  the  forelegs  appear  as  if  placed  quite  at  the  hinder  end  of  the  chest, 
instead  of  in  the  front  of  it.  The  head  passes  gradually  into  the  neck,  and 
the  neck  into  the  body.  The  head  is  flattened,  and  bears  little,  glittering 
savage-looking  eyes,  and  small  rounded  ears.  The  length  from  snout  to 
root  of  tail  does  not  exceed  eight  inches.  The  tail  is  about  two  inches  long. 
The  fur  is  light  reddish-brown  above,  and  white  below;  in  northern  latitudes 
the  brown  parts  assume  a  much  lighter  color  in  winter,  so  that  the  weasel 
undergoes  a  change  of  coat  similar  to,  but  less  extensive  than  that  under- 
gone by  the  ermine. 

The  weasel  is  a  good  climber,  and  makes  use  of  his  skill  in  this  accom- 
plishment to  prey  upon  birds,  their  eggs,  and  young.  It  will  pursue  its  prey 
over  fields,  in  trees,  in  subterranean  burrows,  or  across  water.  Like  many 
of  the  wild  cats,  it  kills  far  more  than  is  necessary  for  its  support,  and  in 
pursuance  of  its  favorite  occupation  of  slaughter  shows  an  unequaled  cour- 
age and  pertinacity.    Its  power  of  keeping  its  presence  of  mind  under  very 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    WEASEL. 


295 


trying  circumstances  is  well  shown  in  the  following  anecdote:  While  riding 
through  a  field  one  day  I  saw  at  a  short  distance  a  kite  pounce  on  some 
object  on  the  ground,  and  rise  with  it  in  his  talons.  In  a  few  moments,  how- 
ever, the  kite  began  to  show  signs  of  great  uneasiness,  rising  rapidly  in  the 
air,  or  as  quickly  falling,  and  wheeling  irregularly  round,  whilst  it  was 
evidently  endeavoring  to  force  some  obnoxious  thing  from  it  with  its  feet. 


THE  WEASEL  AND  ITS  PREY. 


After  a  sharp  but  short  contest,  the  kite  fell  suddenly  to  the  earth,  not  far 
from  where  I  was  intently  watching  the  manoeuvre.  I  instantly  rode  up  to 
the  spot,  when  a  weasel  ran  away  from  the  kite,  apparently  unhurt,  leaving 
the  bird  dead,  with  a  hole  eaten  through  the  skin  under  the  wing,  and  the 
large  blood-vessels  of  the  part  cut  through. 


GIRAFFES   BROWSING  AMONG  THE  TREES 


296 


HUNTING  THE  GIRAFFE 

Mr.  Roosevelt  Bags  Two  Bull  Girafifes  and  Kermit  Rides  Down  and  Kills  One — Diffi- 
culties in  Hunting  This  Long-Sighted  and  Wary  Animal — Peculiar  Habits  of  the 
Giraffe. 


Mr.  Roosevelt  was  anxious  to  secure  a  bull  ahd  a  cow  giraffe  for  the 
National  Museum.  While  he  often  saw  both  single  animals  and  small  troops 
of  this  long-necked  inhabitant  of  the  velt  he  soon  found  that  it  was  very 
difficult  to  approach  it  by  stalking.  The  giraffe,  owing  to  its  immense  tall 
neck,  on  the  top  of  which  its  head  towers  eighteen  feet  above  the  ground, 
and  its  keen  eyesight,  is  able  to  descry  its  enemies  at  a  distance  of  one  to  two 
miles,  and  thus  has  time  to  disappear  before  the  sportsman  can  reach  it.  It 
was  while  visiting  at  Captain  Slatter's  ostrich  farm  near  the  picturesque 
Kilimakiu  mountain  and  immediately  after  the  exciting  rhinoceros  hunt  re- 
lated in  another  chapter,  that  the  Colonel  got  a  chance  to  satisfy  his  desire. 
Starting  out  from  the  camp,  which  was  pitched  at  Potha,  in  search  of  prey 
he  came  across  a  small  herd  of  giraffes  browsing  in  a  little  grove  of  mimosa 
trees.  But  all  his  swift  bullets  could  do  was  to  chase  the  beasts  away.  To 
see  the  whole  herd  of  giraffes  in  rapid  motion  was  a  strange  sight  to  our 
American  hunter.  The  characteristic  pace  made  their  streaked  bodies  swing 
to  and  fro  and  their  necks  looked  like  so  many  masts  of  ships  rolling  about 
in  a  heavy  sea,  while  the  pendulous  swinging  of  their  tails  accompanied  every 
motion  of  their  legs. 

The  giraffe  is  not  only  the  tallest  of  all  animals  but  is  also  the  only  animal 
which  is  entirely  mute.  This  strange  lack  of  voice  has  caused  a  distinguished 
African  traveler  to  assume  that  his  tail  takes  the  place  of  an  "organ  of 
speech."  Its  variegated  swinging,  turning,  switching  and  curving  constitute, 
in  his  opinion,  a  code  of  signals,  a  kind  of  animal  "deaf-and-dumb  language." 
This  "tail  language"  is  supplemented  by  expressive  postures  of  neck  and 
body,  so  that  the  giraffes  have  quite  an  extensive  vocabulary  at  their  com- 
mand in  communicating  with  one  another. 

The  giraffe  is  by  nature  shy,  and  when  much  hunted,  like  all  other 
animals,  becomes  very  cautious.  In  the  open  plains  it  is  very  difficult  to 
approach  it  nearer  than  within  five  or  six  hundred  feet.  It  is  exceedingly 
keen  of  smell  and  hearing,  and  still  more  so  of  sight,  and  taxes  the  skill  of 
even  a  good  sportsman  to  the  utmost,  especially  in  East  Africa,  where  the 

297 


298  HUNTING  THE  GIRAFFE. 

climate  and  the  rough  surface  of  the  ground  make  the  use  of  horses  well 
nigh  impossible.  The  large,  lustrous  eye  commands  a  wide  angle  of  vision, 
and  the  leading  bull  or  cow  is  constantly  on  the  lookout  while  the  herd  rests 
in  the  shade  of  the  tree.  A  switch  of  the  long  tail  warns  the  herd  and  it 
seeks  safety  in  immediate  flight.  The  animal's  pace  is  a  peculiar  gallop,  the 
fore  and  hind  legs  of  the  same  side  moving  at  the  same  time. 

No  wonder,  then,  if  the  Colonel  was  disappointed  in  his  first  attempt  to 
slay  this  enormous  beast.  The  next  day,  however,  he  set  out  again,  accom- 
panied by  his  hospitable  host,  Captain  Slatter,  and  this  time  was  successful. 
They  came  on  a  small  troop  of  giraffes  browsing  in  an  acacia  grove.  A 
swift  bullet  from  the  former  President's  Winchester  struck  the  biggest  bull 
and  off  the  whole  herd  went  with  the  speed  of  an  express  train.  And  now 
began  an  exciting  chase  along  the  velt  for  several  hours,  for  our  Rough 
Rider  had  made  up  his  mind  not  tO'  let  his  victim  escape  him  this  time. 
Riding  at  full  speed  along  a  rocky  ground,  full  of  wart-hog  holes  and  other 
pitfalls,  he  sent  bullet  upon  bullet  after  the  fleeing  animals.  The  largest 
bull  at  last  came  down,  and  after  another  hour's  wild  chase  one  more  of 
the  herd,  a  smaller  bull,  was  added  to  the  Smithsonian  collection  of  rare  and 
valuable  specimens. 

Mr.  Edmund  Heller  at  once  began  preparing  the  skins  of  the  animals. 
This  is  a  very  difficult  task,  especially  in  this  case,  one  of  the  specimens 
being  an  old  bull,  because  large  quantities  of  salt  and  alum  were  needed,  and 
large  vessels  for  the  impregnation  of  the  skins.  This  is  the  reason  that  so 
few  museums  possess  skins  of  full-grown  bull  giraffes  like  those  our  Na- 
tional Museum  now  has,  thanks  to  our  ex-President's  untiring  efforts. 
These  skins  grow,  naturally,  more  and  more  valuable  the  rarer  the  animals 
become.  The  natives  kill  thousands  of  these  inoffensive  animals  every  year 
for  European  traders,  who  pay  from  twenty  to  thirty  dollars  apiece  for  the 
skins.  Mr.  Roosevelt,  therefore,  realized  that  it  was  high  time  to  secure 
these  skins  for  America;  for,  in  spite  of  all  protective  laws,  the  giraffe  will 
soon  be  counted  among  the  extinct  races  of  animals. 

Hundreds  of  giraffes  are  killed  by  lions,  against  which  they  are  com- 
paratively defenseless,  the  only  weapon  of  defense  they  use  being  their  heels. 
The  powerful  kick  of  the  bull  giraffe  is  apt  to  keep  a  lion  at  a  respectable 
distance.  He  is  even  able  to  shake  off  his  enemy  and  run  away  from  him, 
and  where  other  game  is  plentiful  the  lion  will  leave  the  giraffe  alone. 
Nevertheless  giraffes  are  often  killed  by  lions,  between  whose  teeth  and  the 
human  hunter  he  will  not  escape  destruction. 


HUNTING  THE  GIRAFFE.  299 

Meanwhile  Kermit  and  Sir  Albert  Pease  had  been  out  on  an  exploration 
in  another  direction.  They  surprised  a  herd  of  giraffes  on  the  open  steppe 
and  immediately  gave  them  chase.  Off  they  scampered  over  the  rough, 
craggy  ground,  clapping  the  spurs  to  their  horses,  Kermit  almost  flying 
on  the  wings  of  the  wind  and  sending  bullet  upon  bullet  intO'  the  huge 
quarry,  until  his  horse  was  outdone  and  he  had  to  jump  off  and  continue 
the  race  on  foot.  He  was  in  splendid  trim,  full  of  courage  and  eager  anxiety 
to  outdo  his  companions,  and  ran  for  all  his  life  was  worth  for  about  two 
miles.  No  more  firing  was  necessary,  however,  for  he  found  the  large  bull 
stretched  on  the  ground,  overcome  by  the  many  wounds  inflicted  by  his 
pursuers  and  dead  as  a  door  nail.  It  was  a  fine  specimen,  measuring  fully 
eighteen  feet  from  the  tops  of  its  front  hoofs  to  the  crown  of  its  head,  and 
even  larger  than  the  old  bull  bagged  by  the  proud  father,  who  felt  almost 
more  delighted  over  his  son's  powers  and  achievements  than  over  his  own 
success. 

We  now  let  a  famous  African  traveler  and  sportsman  tell  what  he  knows 
about  the  giraffe  from  his  own  observations.     Says  he: 

One  of  the  most  curious  sights  I  ever  witnessed  was  a  giraffe  drinking. 
It  was  on  the  edge  of  Kalahari  Desert  in  South  Africa.  I  had  gone  into 
camp  near  a  stream,  and  while  my  men  were  preparing  the  evening  meal,  I 
was  reclining  near  a  clump  of  bushes,  enjoying  my  pipe' — a  Boer  fashion  of 
smoking  before  meals,  as  well  as  after — when  I  heard  a  noise  near  the  stream 
below  me.  Looking  in  that  direction  I  saw  a  pair  of  full  grown  young 
giraffes  that  had  stopped  at  the  edge  of  the  stream  and  were  preparing  to 
drink. 

Although  they  have  such  long  necks  they  are  not  long  enough  to  reach 
the  ground  when  the  giraffe  is  standing  in  an  ordinary  position. 

The  male  giraffe  placed  one  forefoot  slightly  in  front  of  the  other  and 
then  began  straddling  his  forelegs  wide  apart.  Little  by  little  with  a  jerky 
motion  he  spread  his  legs  until  they  were  far  enough  apart  to  enable  him  to 
reach  the  water,  but  he  made  three  attempts  before  he  was  successful.  He 
was  such  a  comical  sight  that  I  burst  out  laughing.  They  heard  me,  looked 
up  and  saw  me,  and  then  took  to  their  heels. 

My  native  men  had  told  me  that  the  giraffe  never  drinks,  but  I  knew 
then  that  they  were  mistaken.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  giraffes  of 
the  North  Kalahari  Desert  will  go  from  seven  to  eight  months  without 
water. 

The  giraffe  is  the  tallest,  most  graceful  and  one  of  the  most  remarkable 


300 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    GIRAFFE. 


of  all  animals.  It  belongs  to  a  family  apart  from  any  other  in  natural  his- 
tory. The  chief  point  of  contrast,  and  one  which  has  been  the  source  of 
much  discussion  among  scientific  men,  is  the  pair  of  horn-like  appendages 
on  the  top  of  the  giraffe's  head.  As  it  is  largely  owing  to  the  peculiar  nature 
of  these  appendages  'that  the  giraffe  is  referred  to  a  distinct  family,  they 
require  somewhat  fuller  notice.  These  horns,  as  they  may  be  conveniently 
called,  are  only  a  few  inches  in  length,  and  are  present  in  both  sexes,  making 


HABITS    OF    THE    GIRAFFE. 


their  appearance  even  before  birth.  They  are  at  first  entirely  separate  from 
the  bones  of  the  skull,  although  in  later  life  completely  uniting  with  them. 
They  are  thus  essentially  different  from  the  horn-cores  of  the  oxen  and  their 
allies,  from  which  they  are  likewise  distinguished  by  being  invested  with  skin 
instead  of  horn.  The  giraffe  was  formerly  extensively  found  from  Nubia  to 
the  Cape  of  Good  Hope.     In  South  Africa  it  is  now  wholly  extinct. 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    GIRAFFE. 


301 


In  the  opinion  of  modern  naturalists,  it  holds  a  place  by  itself  between  the 
deer  and  antelopes;  it  forms,  at  all  events,  a  gl^oup  to  which  no  other  animals 
belong.  The  height  of  the  giraffe  varies  from  thirteen  to  eighteen  feet.  Its 
beautiful  long  neck  enables  it  to  browse  on  the  leaves  of  the  trees  on  which 
it  feeds.  It  is  very  dainty  while  feeding,  and  plucks  the  leaves  one  by  one 
with  its  long,  flexible  tongue.  The  females  are  of  lower  stature,  and  more 
delicately  formed  than  the  males. 

The  movements  of  the  giraffe  are  very  peculiar,  the  limbs  of  each  side 


mi'M 


_<,,»'«\ 


*.  ^ 


GIRAFFES    OF    THE    KALAHARI    DESERT. 


appearing  to  act  together.  It  is  very  swift,  and  can  outrun  a  horse,  especially 
if  it  can  get  among  broken  ground  and  rocks,  over  which  it  leaps  with  a 
succession  of  frog-like  hops. 

The  senses  of  both  sight  and  hearing  are  highly  developed;  and  the  lofty 
position  of  the  head  gives  to  the  soft  and  liquid  eyes  a  wide  field  of  view. 
The  animal's  only  means  of  defense  is  by  kicking  out  with  its  legs;  and  the 
blows  thus  delivered  are  of  terrific  force  and  power.    This  mode  of  attack  is 


302  THE   STORY   OF   THE    GIRAFFE. 

employed  by  the  cow  in  defending  her  young,  and  likewise  in  the  contests 
which  take  place  among  the  m'ales  during  the  pairing  season. 

Some  writers  have  discovered  ugliness  and  a  want  of  grace  in  the  girafife, 
but  I  consider  that  he  is  one  of  the  most  strikingly  beautiful  animals  in  the 
creation;  and  when  a  herd  is  seen  scattered  through  a  grove  of  the  pic- 
turesque parasol-topped  acacias  which  adorn  their  native  plains,  and  on 
whose  uppermost  shoots  they  are  enabled  to  browse  through  the  colossal 
height  with  which  nature  has  so  admirably  endowed  them,  he  must  indeed 
be  slow  of  conception  who  fails  to  discover  both  grace  and  dignity  in  all 
their  movements. 

As  in  the  case  of  most  wild  animals,  the  surroundings  of  the  giraffe  are 
a  protection  to  him.  Among  the  great  South  African  forests,  where  innum- 
erable blasted  and  weather-beaten  trunks  and  stems  occur,  I  have  repeatedly 
been  in  doubt  as  to  the  presence  of  a  troop,  until  I  had  recourse  to  my  field 
glass,  and  I  have  known  even  the  practiced  eye  of  the  natives  deceived,  at 
one  time  mistaking  these  trunks  for  giraffes,  and  again  confounding  real 
giraffes  with  these  aged  veterans  of  the  forest.  The  dappled  hide  of  the 
giraffe  blends  harmoniously  with  the  splashes  of  light  and  shade  formed  by 
the  sun  glinting  through  the  foliage  of  the  trees  beneath  which  the  animals 
take  their  stand,  and  thus  intensifies  the  illusion. 

Giraft'es  range  in  herds  of  sixteen  to  one  hundred.  They  are  hunted 
principally  for  their  hides,  which  are  worth  from  twenty-five  to  forty  dollars 
each. 

I  never  shot  one  of  these  harmless,  beautiful  creatures,  although  I  have 
had  many  opportunities. 


THE  AFRICAN  LEOPARD 

Colonel   Roosevelt   Bags  a   Leopard — Captures   Cubs   Alive — Kermit's   Good   Luck;   He  Kills 
a  Leopard  at  a  Distance  of  Twelve  Feet — Facts  About  This  Bloodthirsty  Feline. 


While  hunting  buffaloes  and  lions  on  the  Kapiti  Plains  Colonel  Roosevelt 
incidentally  came  across  and  killed  a  leopard.    The  cubs  were  captured  alive. 

While  much  smaller  than  the  lion  the  leopard  is  generally  conceded  tO'  be 
the  most  dangerous  and  most  formidable  beast  of  prey  in  East  Africa.  It  is 
more  blood-thirsty,  ferocious,  cunning  and  destructive  than  the  lion.  It  is 
stealthy,  tricky  and  truculent.  The  cry  of  the  leopard  is  a  hoarse  grunt,  some- 
times also  sounding  like  a  snarl.  Its  food  consists  of  any  mammals  it  can 
overpower.  Its  favorite  diet  is  monkeys,  smaller  antelopes,  gazelles,  and,  in 
mountainous  districts,  also  wart-hogs.  It  hunts  its  prey  preferably  at  night 
when  the  antelopes  visit  their  drinking  places  and  the  monkeys  sleep  on  steep 
rocks  and  in  trees.  The  unceasing  bleating  of  antelopes  and  the  intense  shriek- 
ing of  monkeys  always  indicate  that  their  enemy  is  attacking  them.  The  big 
baboons,  however,  are  well  able  to  offer  a  stout  resistance,  for  their  weapons 
are  sharp  and  larger  than  those  of  the  leopard. 

A  couple  of  weeks  later  Kermit  and  Mr.  McMillan  were  out  beating  for 
game  on  the  Juja  farm,  the  latter's  magnificent  ranch  on  the  Athi  river,  where 
the  Roosevelt  party  stopped  for  several  weeks  while  hunting  in  the  vicinity, 
and  suddenly  came  on  the  spoor  of  a  leopard  in  a  dry  watercourse  surrounded 
by  dense  jungles.  The  young  sportsman  had  an  exciting  encounter  with  the 
ferocious  beast,  which  came  near  killing  one  of  his  beaters  and  threatened  his 
own  life.  Driven  out  by  the  beaters  from  the  thicket,  where  it  was  in  hiding, 
the  furious  beast,  with  a  lightning-like  rapidity,  which  defies  description,  came 
running  towards  the  hunters  and  charged  Kermit,  who  was  only  a  few  paces 
from  the  jungle.  He  pulled  the  trigger  just  in  the  nick  of  time,  for  had  the 
mortal  bullet  hit  the  beast  a  second  later  it  would  already  have  buried  its  claws 
in  his  flesh.  The  animal  was  a  small  female  weighing  only  forty-five  pounds, 
while  large  ones  often  weigh  a  hundred  pounds  more.  Its  spotted  fur,  which 
was  carefully  prepared  by  Prof.  Heller,  is  one  of  the  young  sportsman's  most 
valued  trophies  from  his  East  African  hunt. 

An  adventure  with  a  leopard,  which  occurred. in  this  neighborhood  a  short 
time  ago,  is  told  by  a  famous  African  hunter.  Returning  towards  evening 
to  his  camp,  his  attention  was  drawn  to  a  tree  on  which  a  crowd  of  baboons 
were  shrieking  with  all  their  might.     Since  monkeys  are  preyed  on  by  the 

303 


304  THE  AFRICAN  LEOPARD. 

leopard,  he  concluded  that  the  baboons  were  directing  their  wrath  against 
one  of  the  stealthy  cats  in  a  near-by  thicket.  He  penetrated  a  few  feet 
into  the  jungle,  when  something  ahead  of  him  began  to  move,  while  the 
monkeys  followed  it  in  the  top  of  the  trees.  The  thicket  grew  less  dense, 
and  he  soon  found  himself  on  the  edge  of  a  ravine,  when  he  saw,  about 
ninety  feet  ahead  of  him.  a  strong  leopard  dragging  along  a  half-grown 
baboon.  He  raised  his  rifle,  but  before  he  could  fire  th.e  beast  had  dropped 
the  monkey  and  escaped  with  a  mighty  leap  into  the  ravine. 

The  leap  of  the  leopard  is  so  swift  that  it  is  very  hard  to  hit  him  when 
charging  or  fleeing.  It  surely  is  better  for  the  hunter  to  let  the  beast  ga  than 
merely  to  wound  it.  A  wounded  leopard  is  a  most  dangerous  enemy  when  it 
turns  and  charges  the  hunter;  its  movement,  quick  as  lightning,  hardly  allows 
one  to  take  aim.  Young  Kermit,  therefore,  fully  deserved  the  praise  Mr.  Mc- 
Millan and  the  proud  father  bestow^ed  upon  him  for  his  quick  action  and 
presence  of  mind  in  his  first  thrilling  adventure  with  so  formidable  a  foe. 

Another  African  hunter  recounts  the  following  hair-breadth  escape  from 
the  bloody  fangs  of  a  leopard.  "On  one  occasion,"  he  says,  "my  foolhardi- 
ness  brought  me  within  an  inch  of  losing  my  life.  I  noticed  in  the  sand  of 
the  steppe  the  tracks  of  a  leopard  dragging  its  prey.  They  led  me  to  the  high 
bank  of  the  ravine  washed  out  by  rain.  I  went  all  around  it  and  found 
that  the  animal  had  not  left  it.  Soon  I  made  out  the  leopard  lying  with  its 
prey,  a  small  antelope,  in  a  hole  under  the  roots  of  a  tree.  But  the  beast  had 
noticed  me  also.  Leaving  its  prey  behind,  the  leopard  tried  to  steal  away ; 
at  the  same  moment  I  fired.  A  trail  of  blood  proved  that  I  had  hit  the  ani- 
mal but  not  killed  it.  Going  along  the  high  and  steep  embankment,  I  noticed 
the  beast  cowering,  half  hidden  by  the  roots  of  a  tree.  The  distance  between 
us  was  about  seventy-five  feet.  What  happened  now  was  enacted  much  more 
quickly -than  it  takes  time  to  describe  it. 

"At  the  same  moment  that  I  raised  my  rifle  to  fire  a  telling  shot,  the  leo- 
pard leaped  towards  me  cjuick  as  a  flash  of  lightning.  I  saw  the  beast  claw- 
ing the  edge  of  the  ravine  and  almost  touching  my  feet,  and  felt  that  there 
was  no  escape  possible,  and  no  defense  either,  when  the  leopard  jumped  back 
into  the  ravine  as  quickly  as  it  had  attacked  me.  The  sight  of  my  two  native 
companions,  who  put  in  an  appearance  near  me  just  at  that  moment,  appar- 
ently had  scared  the  animal  as  much  as  its  sudden  sight  staggered  my  men. 
Although  I  did  not  lose  my  presence  of  mind,  I  did  not  have  time  enough 
to  raise  my  rifle  and  to  shoot ;  it  all  happened  in  a  few  seconds.  A  few  min- 
utes later  a  well-aimed  shot  freed  us  of  all  further  danger. 


THE  AFRICAN  LEOPARD.  305 

"Never  shall  I  forget  this  experience ;  I  can  even  now  hear  the  short 
snarls  of  the  infuriated  beast.  I  was  saved  through  no  skill  or  bravery  of 
mine,  but  by  mere  luck."     , 

The  leopard  has  no  decided  preference  for  any  special  locality;  its  haunts 
may  be  found  anywhere,  on  rocky  ground  as  well  as  in  wooded  districts — 
in  fact,  whenever  it  finds  sufficient  cover.  It  easily  climbs  trees,  and  often 
hides  during  a  hot  day  in  their  shady  tops.  Men  have  been  jumped  at  and 
killed  by  beasts  concealed  in  the  foliage,  and  the  natives  claim  that  the  leo- 
pard is  a  man-eater.  Old  male  leopards  may  become  man-eaters  when  they 
have  discovered  how  easy  it  is  to  secure  human  victims,  but  leopards  gen- 
erally do  not  indulge  in  stealing  and  eating  human  beings.  Occasionally, 
however,  they  do  attack  them,  chiefly  women  and  children. 

The  cunning  leopard  roves  in  untold  numbers  nightly  over  the  vast  velts 
of  East  Africa,  and  will  do  so  long  after  the  strong  lion  has  ceased  to  exist. 
The  variety  known  as  the  cheetah  or  hunting-leopard  is  a  more  rare  animal, 
and  is  sometimes  tamed  and  kept  as  a  dog  around  the  homestead. 

The  following  interesting  facts  ^bout  the  leopard  will,  no  doubt,  be  ap- 
preciated by  our  readers : 

Some  years  ago  a  couple  of  leopards,  which  lived  in  England,  afforded 
a  strong  proof  of  the  innate  individuality  of  these  animals.  One  of  them, 
a  male,  was  always  sulky  and  unamiable,  and  never  would  respond  to  offered 
kindnesses.  The  female,  on  the  contrary,  was  most  docile  and  affectionate, 
eagerly  seeking  for  the  kind  words  and  caresses  of  her  keeper.  She  was 
extremely  playful,  as  is  the  wont  of  most  leopards,  and  was  in  the  habit 
of  indulging  in  an  amusement  which  is  generally  supposed  to  be  the  specialty 
of  the  monkey  tribe.  Nothing  pleased  her  so  well  as  to  lay  her  claws  on 
some  article  of  dress  belonging  to  her  visitors,  to  drag  it  through  the 
bars  of  her  cage,  and  to  tear  it  in  pieces.  -  Scarcely  a  day  passed  that  this 
amusingly  mischievous  animal  did  not  entirely  destroy  a  hat,  bonnet  or 
parasol,  or  perhaps  protrude  a  rapid  paw  and  claw  off  a  large  piece  of  a 
lady's  dress. 

The  cubs  of  the  leopard  are  pretty,  graceful  little  creatures,  with  short 
pointed  tails,  and  spots  of  a  fainter  tint  than  those  of  the  adult  animal. 
Their  number  is  from  one  to  five.  Even  in  captivity  the  leopard  is  a  most 
playful  animal,  especially  if  in  the  society  of  companions  of  its  own  race. 

The  beautiful  spotted  creatures  sport  with  each  other  just  like  so  many 
kittens,  making,  with  their  wild,  graceful  springs,  sudden  attacks  upon  one 
companion,  or  escaping  from  the  assaults  of  another,  rolling  over  on  their 


306 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   LEOPARD. 


backs,  and  striking  playfully  at  each  other,  and  every  now  and  then  uniting 
in  a  general  skirmishing  chase  over  their  limited  domains.  Even  when  they 
are  caged  together  with  lions  and  tigers,  their  playfulness  does  not  desert 
them,  and  they  treat  their  enormous  companions  with  amusing  coolness. 

The  third  in  point  of  size  of  the  Old  World  cats  is  the  leopard,  or 
panther,  a  species  closely  allied  to  the  lion  and  tiger,  from  whom  it  is  at 
once  distinguished  by  its  color  marks  and  inferior  dimensions.  Two  species 
of  large  spotted  cats  are  recognized  as  inhabiting  Africa  and   India,  tO' 


LEOPARDS    IN    THE    JUNGLE. 


the  smaller  of  which  the  name  leopard  is  restricted,  while  the  larger  is 
known  as  the  panther.  Although  there  is  an  enormous  amount  of  differ- 
ence between  the  smallest  and  the  largest  of  such  spotted  cats  in  point  of 
size,  yet  I  find  that  the  change  from  the  one  to  the  other  is  so  gradual 
and  complete  that,  in  a  large  series  of  specimens,  it  is  quite  impossible  to 
say  where  leopards  end  and  panthers  begin.  Hence  it  appears  to  me  that 
there  is  but  a  single  species,  for  which  the  name  leopard  should  be  adopted. 
The  spotted  coat   of  the  leopard  being  its  most  distinctive  feature,  the 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   LEOPARD. 


307 


animal  (in  common  with  the  hunting-leopard)  is  known  to  the  natives  of 
India  as  the  chita,  meaning  spotted;  the  leopard,  on  account  of  its  larger 
size,  being  often  distinguished  as  the  chita-bagh,  or  spotted  tiger.  I  have 
m.ade  a  careful  study  of  the  two  animals,  and  have  concluded  that  they  are 
of  the  same  species.  They  are  as  close  kin  as  are  the  Jersey  and  Shorthorn 
or  Durham  cows. 

The  differences  in  the  size  of  individual  leopards  is  so  great  that  while 


A   PERSIAN    LEOPARD    AND    ITS   HABITS. 


in  the  smallest  examples  the  total  length  of  the  head,  body  and  tail  does  not 
exceed  five  feet,  in  the  largest  it  reaches  to  as  much  as  eight  feet.  In  a  large 
male,  of  which  the  total  length  was  seven  feet  eleven  inches,  the  head  and 
body  measured  four  feet  nine  inches,  and  the  tail  three  feet  two  inches. 

The  leopard  is  one  of  the  three  larger  cats  which  are  common  to  India 
and  Africa,  the  other  twO'  being  the  lion  and  the  hunting-leopard.  The 
distribution  of  the  leopard  is,  however,  more  extensive  than  that  of  the 
lion,  embracing  nearly  the  whole  of  Asia,  from  Persia  to  Japan,  but  not 
extending  as  far  north  as  Siberia. 


308  THE   STORY    OF   THE   LEOPARD. 

Next  to  the  tiger  in  India,  and  to  the  Hon  in  Africa,  the  leopard  is  the 
most  formidable  flesh-eating  animal  to  be  found  in  either  country.  In  its 
liabits  it  differs  essentially  from  both  the  lion  and  the  tiger  in  that  it  is 
thoroughly  at  home  in  trees,  running  up  a.  straight-stemmed  and  smooth- 
barked  trunk  with  the  speed  and  agility  of  a  monkey.  Moreover,  the  leop- 
ard is  a  much  more  active  animal  than  the  tiger,  frequently  taking  tremen- 
dous leaps  and  springs.  The  Indian  leopard,  although  its  powers  of  ofifense 
are  far  inferior  to  those  of  the  tiger,  is  in  some  respects  a  more  dangerous 
animal,  as  it  is  roused  with  less  provocation,  and  is  more  courageous  in 
attacking  those  who  disturb  its  repose.  The  favorite  resorts  of  the  Indian 
leopard  are  rocky  hills  covered  with  scrub,  among  which  it  seeks  secure 
hiding  in  caves  and  under  overhanging  masses  of  rock.  From  strongholds 
such  as  these  the  leopard  in  Southern  and  Central  India  watch  the  sur- 
rounding country  towards  sunset,  and  descend  with  astonishing  celerity  and 
stealth,  under  cover  of  the  rocks,  to  cut  ofif  any  straggling  animal  among 
the  herds  or  flocks  on  their  return  to  the  village  at  nightfall.  From  their 
habit  of  lurking  in  the  vicinity  of  the  habitations  of  man,  to  prey  upon  cattle, 
ponies,  donkeys,  sheep,  goats,  and  dogs,  leopards  are  frequently  brought 
into  collision  with  Indian  villagers;  and  a  leopard  being  mobbed  in  a  garden, 
or  field  of  sugar-cane  or  standing  corn,  from  which  he  will  charge  several 
times,  and  bite  and  claw  half  a  dozen  before  he  is  despatched  or  makes  his 
escape,  is  no  uncommon  occurrence  in  India, 

This  partiality  of  the  leopard  for  dogs  seems  to  be  characteristic  of  the 
animal  from  one  end  of  India  to  the  other,  and  there  are  many  instances  on 
record  where  leopards  in  the  hill-stations  have  swooped  down  in  broad  day- 
light and  carried  ofif  pet  dogs  from  before  the  very  eyes  of  their  European 
masters  or  mistresses.  It  is  but  rarely  that  leopards  take  to  man-eating,  but 
instances  do  occur,  one  of  which  came  under  my  notice  some  years  ago, 
when  a  leopard  carried  ofif  a  considerable  number  of  persons  from  a  village  in 
Kashmir.  In  Africa  the  general  habits  of  the  leopard  appear  to  be  very 
much  the  same  as  in  India,  Sir  Samuel  Baker  relating  how,  on  one  occasion, 
a  dog  was  carried  ofif  from  the  very  middle  of  his  camp  by  one  of  these 
marauders. 

The. leopard  has  often  been  tamed,  and,  indeed,  almost  domesticated, 
being  permitted  to  range  the  house  at  will,  greatly  to  the  consternation  of 
strange  visitors.  This  complete  state  of  docility  can,  however,  only  take 
place  in  an  animal  which  has  either  been  bom  in  captivity,  or  taken  at  so 
early  an  age  that  its  savage  propensities  have  never  had  time  to  expand. 


THE    STORY    OF    THE   LEOPARD. 


309 


Even  in  this  case  the  disposition  of  the  creature  must  be  naturally  good,  or 
it  remains  proof  against  kindness  and  attention,  never  losing  a  surliness  of 
temper  that  makes  its  liberation  too  perilous  an  experiment.  The  very  same 
treatment  by  the  same  people  will  have  a  marvelously  different  efifect  on  two 
different  animals,  though  they  be  of  the  same  species,  or  even  the  offspring 
of  the  same  parents. 

The  snow-leopard  inhabits  the   elevated  regions  of  Central  Asia.     In 
Ladak  it  does  not  descend  below  the  level  of  some  nine  thousand  feet  above 


A    PAIR   OF   CHITAS   OR    HUNTING   LEOPARDS. 


the  sea-level  in  winter,  while  in  summer  it  ranges  to  a  height  of  eighteen 
thousand  feet  and  upwards.  Its  long  and  thick  fur  is  specially  adapted  to 
protect  the  animal  against  the  severe  winter  cold  of  the  regions  it  inhabits. 
The  beauty  of  the  fur  of  a  snow-leopard  killed  during  the  winter  is  unri- 
valed. The  animal  is  probably  found  all  over  Thibet,  but  how  far  to  the 
westward  of  Gilgit  it  extends  is  at  present  unknown.  It  has,  indeed,  been 
reported  from  Persia  and  Armenia. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  habits  of  the  snow-leopard  is  at  present  but  lim- 
ited, since  comparatively  few  have  seen  the  animal  in  its  wild  state.     From 


310 


THE   STORY    OF    THE   LEOPARD. 


living  in  a  practically  treeless  country,  it  is  probable  that  it  is  unable  to 
climb.  It  preys  chiefly  upon  wild  sheep,  and  goats,  and  marmots,  and  other 
rodents;  it  wages  war  upon  domestic  sheep  and  goats  when  grazing  upon 
the  higher  grounds;  and  it  will  likewise,  it  is  said,  occasionally  attack 
ponies.    It  is  reported  never  to  molest  man. 

The  hunting-leopard  is  another  representative  of  the  cat  family,  and  dif- 
fers so  markedly  in  certain  respects  from  all  the  others  that  it  is  now  gen- 


illiiilililiiilliiiilliiliillllliliiy^ 


A    YOUNG    HUNTING    I,EOPARD. 


erally  admitted  to  rank  as  a  distinct  breed.    It  is  generally  known  to  Euro- 
peans as  the'  chita. 

The  hunting-leopard  is  distinguished  by  the  slenderness  of  its  body,  and 
the  great  relative  strength  of  its  limbs,  which  are  longer  than  in  any  of  the 
true  cats,  not  even  excepting  the  lynxes.  In  length  of  body  it  may  be  com- 
pared with  the  true  leopard,  although  it  stands  much  higher  on  the  legs. 


THE  CROCODILE 

East    African    Rivers    Full    of    Crocodiles — Hated    by    the    Natives — How    the    Crocodile    is 
Hunted  and   Trapped — The   Alligator. 


While  stopping  at  the  Juja  ranch  with  his  American  friend,  Mr.  Mc- 
Millan, Colonel  Roosevelt  had  many  chances  to  see  the  so  much  dreaded  and 
detested  crocodiles,  for  the  nearby  Athi  river  was  full  of  them,  as  are  in- 
deed all  East  African  rivers  and  lakes.  They  would  often  suddenly  plunge 
in  the  river  when  surprised  by  the  hunters  or  lie  floating  on  the  water  or 
on  the  sandy  shores  basking  in  the  scorching  sunshine. 

The  hard  and  sgaly  covering  of  the  crocodile  makes  him  proof  against 
ordinarv  rifle  bullets,  and  the  shot  which  tells  best  on  him  is  the  one  which 
hits  its  head  just  where  the  vertebral  column  begins;  it  kills  instantly. 

The  crocodile  does  not  seriously  interfere  with  the  peaceful  progress  of 
civilization  in  Africa.  Its  home  is  the  big  rivers  and  the  large  lakes  and  it 
very  seldom  ventures  on  an  expedition  on  dry  land  in  search  of  its  prey.  Once 
in  awhile  it  happens  upon  a  native  child  playing  near  the  river  and  then  no 
escape  is  possible.  It  is  hunted  exclusively  on  account  of  its  valuable  hide, 
which  is  used  for  making  trunks  and  handbags. 

As  a  pastime  during  the  evenings,  says  an  African  traveler  who  recently 
has  covered  the  same  hunting  grounds  as  Mr.  Roosevelt,  my  men  and  I 
fished  for  crocodiles  with  line  and  hook.  I  had  connected  an  island  with  the 
right  bank  of  the  river  by  means  of  trees  cut  down  on  the  island  and  the 
banks.  The  trunks  of  enormous  trees  and  their  intertwined  tops  formed  a 
kind  of  river-bar,  above  and  below  which  gathered  numerous  reptiles.  I  had 
some  shark-hooks  with  me.  I  baited  them  with  large  pieces  of  meat.  When- 
ever I  had  a  bite  from  an  animal,  I  gave  it  a  long  line,  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  of  thin,  strong  rope.  Then  ten  or  twelve  of  my  men  pulled 
for  all  they  were  worth  and  dragged  the  crocodile — often  weighing  a  thou- 
sand pounds — to  the  bank.  While  the  saurian  was  beating  the  water  with 
its  awful  tail,  I  killed  it  with  a  shot  aimed  at  a  spot  just  behind  the  head. 
The  dying  animal  emitted  a  sickening  smell  of  musk.  I  often  caught  six 
or  more  crocodiles  in  one  night.  We  had  to  be  very  careful  to  keep  out  of 
reach  of  the  flexible  and  powerful  tail  of  the  animal.  One  of  my  men  was 
particularly  eager  to  catch  the  hated  "mamba" — he  had  once  had  a  narrow 
escape  from  a  reptile  and  had  sworn  to  take  revenge  on  the  whole  brood.  In 
fact,  many  natives  are  maimed  by  crocodiles,  and  this  huge  reptile  will  not 

311 


312  THE   CROCODILE. 

disdain  to  prey  on  human  beings,  as  travelers  often  have  had  occasion  to 
observe.  A  sportsman  and  natiiraHst  with  his  caravan  was  recently  on  his 
way  back  to  the  Coast  after  a  successful  expedition  in  British  East  Africa, 
when  one  of  his  blacks,  who  had  drunk  too  freely  of  the  sweet  palm.-wine,  fell 
from  the  small  bridge  leading  across  a  river.  The  current  carried  him  off 
before  they  could  go  to  his  aid  and  save  him  from  the  jaws  of  a  crocodile, 
which  in  a  moment  had  dragged  him  down. 

An  inexperienced  observer  may  easily  be  deceived  as  to  the  number  of 
crocodiles  in  a  river.  They  swim  along  below  the  surface  almost  completely 
hidden  from  sight,  only  from  time  to  time  they  raise  their  nostrils  above 
the  water.  When  they  lie  on  sand-banks  or  on  the  river-shore  or  on  over- 
hanging branches  of  trees,  they  disappear  as  quick  as  lightning  into  the 
water  at  the  slightest  sign  of  danger.  They  are  least  shy  in  the  great  lakes. 
Many  of  them  are  found  in  the  bogs  and  inlets  of  the  Victoria  Nyanza 
living  rather  amicably  with  the  river-hogs  and  the  native  fishermen.  It 
appears  to  the  traveler  like  a  picture  of  paradise  to  see  the  reed  floats  of 
the  natives  moving  about  on  the  waters  peopled  by  hundreds  of  reptiles, 
river-hogs,  and  birds  of  all  kinds. 

It  certainly  was  a  picturesque  sight  that  met  the  eyes  of  our  ex-President 
when  he  crossed  this  beautiful  lake  among  all  these  marvelous  representatives 
of  the  animal  kingdom  of  the  tropics.  In  the  middle  of  December  the 
American  hunting  and  scientific  expedition  crossed  the  Victoria  Nyanza  on 
board  the  steamer  Clement  Hill  bound  for  Entebbe,  the  seat  of  the  English 
governor  of  Uganda. 

The  voyage  was  a  delightful  one  and  the  steamer  flew  the  United  States 
flag.  It  was  the  first  time  that  the  stars  and  stripes  had  flown  over  a  passen- 
ger vessel  on  the  Victoria  Nyanza.  The  Colonel  expressed  himself  sur- 
prised at  the  beauty  of  the  lake  and  the  comfort  provided  for  the  steamer's 
passengers.  Our  illustration  shows  the  only  outlet  of  beautiful  Victoria 
Nyanza,  the  headwaters  of  the  Nile,  the  source  of  Egypt's  life  and  fertility, 
which  right  from  under  the  Equator  darts  on  its  course  of  thousands  of 
miles  through  ravines,  swamps  and  desert  to  quench  the  thirst  of  millions  of 
people  and  beasts  of  the  wilds. 

The  crossing  of  the  Victoria  Nyanza  marks  the  second  stage  of  the 
journey  in  the  interior  of  Africa.  With  the  passage  of  the  lake  the  Colonel 
left  behind  him  British  East  Africa  and  entered  the  Uganda  protectorate, 
the  wildest  and  most  beautiful,  perhaps  the  most  dangerous,  and  certainly 
the  most  interesting  field  of  his  explorations. 


1-1 
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314  THE  CROCODILE. 

In  Entebbe  they  were  met  at  the  pier  by  government  officials,  who  were 
introduced  to  the  Americans  by  Chief  Secretary  Russell.  A  guard  of  honor 
for  the  visitors  was  made  up  of  Indian  scheiks. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  and  Kermit  entered  a  motor  car  and  were  driven  to 
the  government  house,  where  they  were  entertained  by  the  governor  of 
Uganda.  The  Colonel  said  that  his  trip  from  Nairobi  had  been  a  pleasant 
one.  At  Juja  the  members  of  the  American  mission  had  gathered  at  the 
station  and  welcomed  their  countrymen.  Another  demonstration  had  taken 
place  at  Nakuro,  where  the  settlers  cheered  during  the  brief  stop  of  the  train. 

From  Entebbe  Colonel  Roosevelt  and  Kermit  proceeded  by  motor  car 
along  the  splendid  sandstone  road,  built  by  the  English,  to  Kampala,  the 
native  capital  of  Uganda,  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  where  they  rejoined  the 
others  of  the  party,  who  in  the  meantime  had  arrived  by  steamer  in  the 
best  of  health  and  spirits  and  ready  to  set  forth  in  search  of  new  conquests. 

But  we  return  to  the  crocodile. 

I  shall  treat  of  the  crocodile  and  alligator  in  the  same  chapter,  since  the 
habits  and  general  characteristics  of  one  are  in  great  measure  similar  to  the 
other.  During  my  various  journeys  it  has  been  my  unhappy  lot  to  see  eight 
human  beings  killed,  besides  a  score  mangled  by  these  ferocious  creatures. 
I  would  sooner  attack  a  lion  single-handed  than  be  placed  in  proximity  to 
one  of  these  man-eating  reptiles.  The  blood-curdling  scenes  which  I  have 
witnessed  are  still  fresh  in  my  memory,  and  I  cannot  shake  off  the  feeling  of 
horror  they  frequently  bring  to  me.  These  creatures  have  rightfully  been 
termed  the  Hon  and  tiger  of  the  reptile  world. 

The  crocodile  is  an  inhabitant  of  the  old  world,  the  alligator  of  the  new, 
and  the  two  animals  are  best  distinguished  by  the  construction  of  the  jaws. 
In  the  crocodiles  the  lower  canine  teeth  fit  into  a  notch  in  the  edge  of  the 
upper  jaw,  and  there  is  in  consequence  a  contraction  of  the  muzzle  just 
behind  the  nostrils.  The  lower  canine  teeth  of  the  alligators  fit  into  a  pit 
in  the  edge  of  the  upper  jaw,  and  in  consequence  no  contraction  is  needed. 
At  the  back  of  the  throat  is  a  valve  completely  shutting  out  water,  but  leav- 
ing the  passage  to  the  nostrils  free,  so  that  the  crocodile  can  keep  his  mouth 
open  when  beneath  the  surface,  without  swallowing  the  water,  or  can  hold 
his  prey  to  drown  under  the  water,  while  he  breathes  at  ease  with  his  nostrils 
at  the  surface.    There  is  no  true  tongue. 

The  common  crocodile  inhabits  many  African  rivers,  and  is,  probably, 
the  reptile  infesting  the  Ganges.  The  Nile,  however,  is  the  best  known 
haunt  for  this  terrible  creature. 


— ^*?^:r^;/,*ft5="*^'' 


■■^^t^^^sst?^ 


11^. 


From    photograph.  THREE   CROCODILES   CAPTURED  IN   THE  ATHI   RIVER. 


315 


316  THE   STORY    OF   THE   CROCODILE. 

The  crocodile  feeds  on  fish,  floating  carrion,  and  dogs,  or  other  animals, 
which  it  is  enabled  to  surprise  as  they  come  to  drink  at  the  water's  edge, 
but  man  frequently  falls  a  victim  to  its  voracity.  In  revenge  for  this  treat- 
ment, all  nations  persecuted  with  this  pest  have  devised  various  methods  of 
killing  it.  The  negroes  of  some  parts  of  Africa  are  sufficiently  bold  and  skillful 
to  attack  the  crocodile  in  his  own  element.  They  fearlessly  plunge  into  the 
water,  and  diving  beneath  the  crocodile,  plunge  the  dagger  with  which  they 
are  armed  into  the  creature's  belly,  which  is  not  protected  by  the  coat  of 
mail  that  guards  the  other  parts  of  its  body.  The  usual  plan  is  to  lie  in 
wait  near  the  spot  where  the  crocodile  is  accustomed  to  repose.  This  is 
usually  a  sand-bank,  and  the  hunter  digs  a  hole  in  the  sand,  and,  armed 
with  a  sharp  harpoon,  patiently  awaits  the  coming  of  his  expected  prey. 
The  crocodile  comes  to  its  accustomed  spot,  and  is  soon  asleep,  when  it  is 
suddenly  roused  by  the  harpoon,  which  penetrates  completely  through  its 
scaly  covering.  The  hunter  immediately  retreats  to  a  canoe,  and  hauls  at 
the  line  attached  to  the  harpoon  until  he  drags  the  crocodile  to  the  surface, 
when  he  darts  a  second  harpoon.  The  struggling  animal  is  soon  wearied 
out,  dragged  to  shore,  and  dispatched  by  dividing  the  spinal  cord.  In  order 
to  prevent  the  infuriated  reptile  from  biting  the  cord  asunder,  it  is  com- 
posed of  about  thirty  small  lines,  not  twisted,  but  only  bound  together  at 
intervals  of  two  feet. 

When  on  land  it  is  not  difficult  to  escape  the  crocodile,  as  certain  pro- 
jections on  the  vertebrae  of  the  neck  prevent  it  from  turning  its  head  to 
any  great  extent. 

Human  beings  have  a  great  dread  of  this  terrible  reptile.  Many  instances 
are  known  where  men  have  been  surprised  near  the  water's  edge,  or  cap- 
tured when  they  have  fallen  into  the  river.  There  is  only  one  way  of  escape 
from  the  jaws  of  the  crocodile,  and  that  is  to  turn  boldly  upon  the  scaly  foe, 
and  press  the  thumbs  into  his  eyes,  so  as  to  force  him  to  relax  his  hold,  or 
relinquish  the  pursuit. 

The  Shire  River  in  Africa  is  very  much  infested  with  crocodiles,  which  at 
times  become  very  ferocious  in  their  attacks  upon  the  unhappy  natives  who 
venture  near  the  banks.  This  more  particularly  happens  when  there  is  a 
scarcity  of  fish  in  the  river,  which  is  the  case  at  flood  time,  when  the  fish  are 
driven  from  their  usual  haunts.  Then  it  is  not  safe  for  any  of  the  natives 
to  show  themselves,  and  to  bathe  is  to  court  destruction. 

I  once  saw  a  complete  mob  of  immense  crocodiles  after  one  man,  who 
had  ventured  to  bathe,  and,  of  course,  for  the  last  time.    The  reptile  which 


THE    SrORY    OF    THE    CROCODILE. 


317 


had  secured  the  unfortunate  victim  was  in  his  turn  attacked  by  hungry 
crocodiles,  and  a  fierce  fight  resuUed. 

One  native,  who  was  smoking  at  the  side  of  the  river,  was  seized  by  the 
hand  by  a  crocodile,  and  would  have  been  dragged  in  and  devoured  had  he 
not  very  quickly  caught  hold  of  a  tree  which  grew  upon  the  bank,  and  clung 
with  such  tenacity  that  the  reptile  had  to  abandon  his  captive,  leaving  the 
deep  dent  of  his  jaws  on  his  arm. 

In  the  Upper  Nile  the  favorite  haunts  of  the  crocodiles  are  sandbanks, 
situated  in  parts  of  the  river  where  the  current  is  not  too  strong.  There 
they  may  be  seen  at  all  hours  of  the  day  sleeping  with  widely  opened  mouths, 
in  and  out  of  which  the  black-backed  plover  walks  with  the  utmost  uncon- 


GANGES   CROCODILE   DEVOURING    A   CHILD. 


cern.  According  to  Arab  accounts,  one  and  the  same  crocodile  has  been 
known  to  haunt  a  single  sandbank  throughout  the  term  of  a  man's  life; 
thus  leading  to  the  conclusion  that  these  creatures  must  enjoy  a  long  term 
of  existence,  during  the  whole  of  which  they  continue,  like  other  reptiles, 
to  increase  in  size.  In  common  with  this  feature  of  uninterrupted  growth, 
all  crocodiles  are  also  distinguished  by  their  remarkable  tenacity  of  life;  the 
shots  that  prove  instantaneously  fatal  being  those  that  take  effect  either  in 
the  brain  itself  or  in  the  spinal  cord  of  the  neck.  It  is  true,  indeed,  that  a  shot 
through  the  shoulder  will  ultimately  cause  death;  but  it  allows  time  for 
the  animal  to  escape  into  the  water,  where  its  body  immediately  sinks.    To 


318  THE   STORY   OF   THE   CROCODILE. 

reach  the  brain,  the  crocodile  should  be  struck  immediately  behind  the  aper- 
ture of  the  ear.  Although  it  is  commonly  supposed  that  the  bony  armor 
of  these  reptiles  is  bullet-proof,  this  is  quite  erroneous;  if  the  plates  are 
struck  obliquely,  the  bullet  will,  however,  frequently  ricochet. 

A  remarkable  instance  of  boldness  and  ferocity  displayed  by  a  crocodile 
of  this  species  was  witnessed  by  me  during  a  journey  to  Mashonaland.  On 
arriving  one  evening  at  the  banks  of  the  narrow  but  rocky  Tokwi  River,  a 
man  named  Williams  rode  in  with  the  intention  of  crossing.  During  the 
passage  his  horse  was  carried  by  the  stream  a  few  yards  below  the  landing- 
place,  and  just  as  he  reached  the  opposite  bank  he  was  seized  by  the  leg  by 
a  crocodile,  which  dragged  him  from  his  horse  into  the  stream.  There  the 
reptile  let  go  its  hold,  upon  which  the  man  managed  to  crawl  on  to  a  small 
island.  Immediately  his  companion  rode  in  to  his  assistance,  upon  which 
another  very  large  crocodile  mounted  up  between  him  and  his  horse's  neck, 
and  then  slipped  back,  making  a  dreadful  wound  on  his  side  and  in  the 
horse's  neck  with  its  claws  as  it  did  so.  The  river  seemed,  indeed,  to  be 
absolutely  swarming  with  crocodiles;  and  it  was  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
that  the  unfortunate  man,  Williams,  who  ultimately  died  of  his  wounds,  was 
brought  to  bank. 

The  Ganges  crocodile  is  one  of  the  largest,  if  not  the  very  largest,  of 
its  order,  sometimes  reaching  a  length  of  35  feet.  As  its  popular  name 
imports,  it  is  a  native  of  India,  and  swarms  in  many  of  the  Indian  rivers,  the 
Ganges  being  greatly  infested  with  its  presence.  It  is  a  striking  animal,  the 
extraordinary  length  of  its  muzzle  giving  it  a  most  singular  and  rather  gro- 
tesque aspect. 

This  prolongation  of  the  head  varies  considerably  according  to  the  age 
and  sex  of  the  individual.  In  the  young,  just  hatched  from  the  egg,  the 
head  is  short  and  blunt,  and  only  attains  its  full  development  when  the 
creature  has  reached  adult  age.  The  males  can  be  distinguished  from  the 
other  sex  by  the  shape  of  the  muzzle,  which  is  much  smaller  at  the  extremity. 
There  are  many  teeth,  the  full  complement  being  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty.    They  are  similar  in  appearance,  and  about  equal  in  length. 

The  following  account  of  the  pursuit  of  one  of  these  monsters  which  had 
recently  carried  off  a  boy  is  abridged  from  a  native  newspaper.  The  hunter, 
having  been  summoned,  moored  his  canoe  hard  by  the  place  where  the 
tragedy  had  taken  place,  it  being  well  known  that  a  crocodile  which  has 
been  successful  in  securing  a  victim  will  generally  remain  for  some  days  about 
the  spot.  Soon  the  crocodile  was  descried  floating  on  the  water,  whereupon 


THE   STORY    OF   THE   CROCODILE. 


319 


the  hunter  and  assistant  hid  themselves  in  the  canoe,  while  the  son  of  the 
former  entered  the  water,  which  he  commenced  to  beat  with  his  hands. 
Catching  sight  of  the  boy,  the  crocodile  prepared  to  dive  towards  him,  upon 
which  the  boy  took  refuge  in  the  canoe.  In  a  moment  or  so  the  reptile  rose 
to  the  surface  at  the  expected  spot,  where  he  was  saluted  with  a  couple  of 
harpoons,  one  of  which  secured  a  firm.  hold.  After  a  long  chase,  in  which  a 
number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  took  part  in  boats,  a  second  harpoon 
was  safely  planted  in  the  head  of  the  monster,  who  was  finally  dragged  to 
shore.  When  opened  several  gold  and  silver  ornaments — the  relics  of  earlier 
victims — were  found  in  his  stomach. 


ALLIGATOR    WAITING   FOR   SOMETHING   TO   TURN    UP. 


On  the  Amazon  and  Orinoco,  as  well  as  other  South  American  rivers, 
alligators  are  to  be  met  with  in  myriads,  and  appear  to  be  very  similar  in 
their  habits  to  the  crocodiles  of  the  old  world.  They  grow  to  a  length  of 
eighteen  or  twenty  feet,  and  attain  an  enormous  bulk.  Like  the  turtles,  the 
alligator  has  its  annual  migrations,  for  it  retreats  to  the  interior  pools  and 
flooded  forests  in  the  dry  season.  During  the  months  of  high  water,  there- 
fore, scarcely  a  single  individual  is  to  be  seen  in  the  main  river.  In  the  mid- 
dle part  of  the  Lower  Amazon,  where  many  of  the  lakes  with  their  channels 


330  THE   STORY   OF   THE   CROCODILE. 

of  communication  with  the  trunk  stream  dry  up  in  the  fine  months,  the 
alHgator  buries  itself  in  the  mud  and  becomes  dormant,  sleeping  till  the  rainy 
season  returns.  On  the  Upper  Amazon,  where  the  dry  season  is  never 
excessive,  it  has  not  this  habit.  It  is  scarcely  exaggerating  to  say  that  the 
waters  of  the  Solimoens  are  as  well  stocked  with  large  alligators  as  a  ditch  in 
Indiana  is  in  summer  with  tadpoles.  By  the  natives  of  these  regions  the  alli- 
gator is  at  once  despised  and  feared.  On  one  occasion  I  saw  a  party  boldly 
enter  the  water  and  pull  to  shore  one  of  these  large  reptiles  by  its  tail;  while 
at  another  time  two  medium-sized  specimens  that  had  been  captured  in  a 
net  were  coolly  returned  to  the  water  hard  by  where  a  couple  of  children 
were  playing.  Sometimes,  however,  they  have  to  pay  dearly  for  such  temer- 
ity. The  Indians  of  Guiana  capture  the  alligator  by  means  of  a  baited  hook 
and  line,  the  former  being  composed  of  several  pieces  of  wood,  which  become 
fixed  in  the  creature's  jaws. 

One  of  the  most  remarkable  things  on  the  Magdalena  River  is  the  num- 
ber of  alligators.  Their  skins,  teeth,  and  bodies  even,  might,  it  would  seem, 
be  made  a  source  of  profit.  When  the  sun  is  at  the  zenith,  and  the  denizens 
of  the  forest  in  silence  seek  the  deepest  shade — when  no  song,  no  noise  is 
heard — the  alligator  stretches  its  monstrous  length  on  the  sands,  and  amuses 
itself  by  swallowing  the  swarms  of  flies.  Then  a  negro,  with  his  lounging 
gait,  will  seek  the  water  to  bathe.  The  alligator  marks  him.  Slowly,  clum- 
sily, he  moves  his  uncouth  form,  and,  plowing  through  the  sand,  seeks  his 
favorite  element  to  secure  his  prey.  If  the  negro  is  unarmed,  he  eludes  pur- 
suit; but  if  he  has  kept  his  keen  knife,  he  awaits  his  foe.  The  alligator  makes 
a  dash  at  him.  The  negro  dives,  turns  and  comes  up  where  the  alligator 
started.  This  maneuver  repeated  over  and  over  wearies  the  monster;  and 
the  negro  prepares  for  the  attack.  But  where  strike  this  creature,  whose 
scales  return  a  rifle-ball?  After  a  series  of  movements  to  disconcert  the  alli- 
gator, he  remains  quiet.  Again  the  alligator  rushes  at  him.  The  negro  dives 
so  as  to  let  the  creature  pass  over  his  head,  and  rising,  drives  his  knife  under 
the  shoulder,  straight  to  the  heart.  But  he  fights  on,  and,  though  the  water 
is  reddened  with  blood,  he  beats  savagely  till  repeated  blows  complete  the 
work,  and  the  negro  swims  ashore,  leaving  the  tide  to  bear  away  his  trophy. 

When  the  alligator  is  cebado — that  is,  in  the  habit  of  lurking  around  a 
hut,  the  negro  resorts  to  a  novel  plan.  It  requires  cool  energy.  He  takes 
a  piece  of  hard  wood,  about  eighteen  inches  long,  and  three  or  four  inches 
thick,  well  sharpened,  with  a  sort  of  shoulder  where  it  begins  to  taper. 
When  he  sees  the  animal  at  its  post,  he  crawls  slowly  up  to  him,  and,  resting 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   CROCODILE.  331 

on  his  knee  and  left  hand,  holds  out  as  a  bait  his  right  hand,  which  grasps 
the  double-pointed  stick.  The  alligator  opens  its  jaws  and  shuts  them  vio- 
lently on  the  hand;  but  finding  itself  caught,  makes  in  all  haste  for  the  river. 
The  negro  holds  on  till  the  alligator,  unable  to  close  its  mouth,  drowns. 

On  our  voyage  up  the  Amazon  we  halted,  from  time  to  time,  when  we 
came  in  sight  of  a  good  place  for  fishing.  It  was  generally  the  mouth  of 
some  branch,  or  one  of  the  numerous  shallows.  We  had  no^  difficulty  in 
finding  the  spot,  no  need  even  to  ask  a  native.  The  flocks  of  snowy  herons, 
ranged  like  sentries,  or  the  abundance  of  long  alligators  about  the  spot, 
announced  not  only  this  fact,  but  the  intention  of  their  presence  there. 

It  was  curious  to  watch  their  proceedings.  An  Indian,  stripping  off  his 
bark  shirt,  creeps  slowly  through  the  shallow  water  toward  an  alligator  with 
a  sling  in  his  left  hand  and  in  his  right  a  pole,  with  a  slip-noose  at  the  end 
of  a  stout  rawhide.  Though  the  alligator  sees  him  coming,  it  will  not 
attempt  either  to  attack  or  fly;  it  lies  lazily  there,  looking  steadily  with  its 
protruding  eyes  at  the  bold  hunter,  occasionally  giving  a  lazy  movement 
with  its  powerful  tail.  It  does  not  seem  to  notice  the  n6ose  when  actually 
before  its  eyes. 

The  hunter  suddenly  throws  it  over  the  monster's  head,  and  draws  it 
taut  with  a  steady  jerk.  Then  the  other  Indians,  who  have  been  watching, 
rush  on,  and  with  a  long,  strong  pull  they  all  land  the  creature,  struggling 
to  get  back,  and  lashing  sand  and  water  with  its  powerful  tail,  A  few  vigor- 
ous blows  of  an  ax  on  the  head  and  tail  soon  disable  it. 

It  is  rather  curious  that  the  alligator  never  seems  to  rush  on  its  antago- 
nists. A  single  movement  in  that  direction  would  scatter  them  all  in  a 
moment.  They  would  drop  pole  and  loop  and  ax,  and  run  for  dear  life.  The 
Indians  are  so  expert  that  accidents  from  the  tail  are  rare. 

They  like  the  flesh,  but  they  begin  by  cutting  out  from  under  the  jaws 
and  belly,  near  the  tail,  four  musk-glands,  in  pairs,  which  if  left,  diffuse  their 
flavor  through  the  whole  body.  These  glands  are  a  valuable  article  of  com- 
merce; and  the  Indians  tie  them  up  carefully  and  dry  them  in  the  sun. 
Mixed  with  a  little  rose-water,  the  contents  of  these  glands  perfume  the  raven 
locks  of  elegant  Bolivian  ladies  at  Santa  Cruz  de  la  Sierra  and  Cochabamba, 
whose  nose  can  stand  and  enjoy  its  powerful  odor  as  they  do  a  bull-fight, 
but  who,  gracefully  as  they  roll  cigaritos  and  dance  their  favorite  dances, 
often  cannot  write  their  names. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  CIVET. 


In  parts  of  India,  Africa  and  the  Malay  Peninsula  I  have  oftentimes  had 
my  patience  taxed  by  the  conduct  of  my  dogs  in  leaving  the  trail  they  were 
following  to  pursue  the  trail  of  a  civet.  The  reason  why  a  dog  will  follow 
the  trail  of  a  civet  in  preference  to  any  other  is  that  the  civet  has  a  scent 
gland  and  leaves  a  highly  perfumed  trail.  In  this  respect  it  is  like  the  fox — 
only  more  so. 

From  this  scent  gland  is  extracted  the  perfume  which  bears  the  name  of 
the  animal,  and  which  was  more  highly  esteemed  a  hundred  or  more  years 
ago  than  it  is  now. 

Civets  have  longer  faces  than  domestic  cats,  and  their  bodies  are  also 
longer,  but  their  legs  shorter  than  in  the  members  of  that  family.  The  tail 
is  usually  marked  with  six  black  rings,  which  are  much  wider  than  the  inter- 
vening white  ones;  its  tip  being  black.  The  Indian  civet  inhabits  the  eastern 
side  of  India,  from  Bengal  to  Sikhim,  ascending  in  the  last-named  district  to 
a  considerable  elevation  in  the  Himalaya,  and  it  is  also  found  in  Burma,  in 
Siam,  in  Hainan,  and  in  the  south  of  China.  This  civet  is  generally  a  solitary 
animal,  and  it  hides  in  woods,  bushes,  or  thick  grass  during  the  day,  wander- 
ing into  open  country  and  often  coming  about  houses  at  night.  Not  infre- 
quently it  is  found  in  holes,  but  whether  these  are  dug  by  it  is  doubtful.     It 

322 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    CIVET. 


323 


is  very  destructive,  killing  any  birds  or  small  animals  it  can  capture,  and 
often  attacking  fowls,  ducks,  etc.,  but  also  feeding  on  snakes,  frogs,  insects, 
eggs,  and  on  fruits  and  some  roots.     Civets  take  readily  to  water. 

The  palm-civets  are  only  abroad  at  night  and  live  almost  entirely  in  trees. 
Their  food  is  in  part  animal  and  part  vegetable  substances. 

Of  the  various  families  of  true  palm-civets,  five  are  found  in  India  and 
Burma.  In  eight  of  these  the  tail  is  considerably  more  than  half  the  length 
of  the  head  and  body;  and  in  seven  of  these  it  is  uniformly-colored.  The 
Celebes  palm-civet,  forming  the  eighth  of  this  series,  is,  however,  distin- 
guished by  having  its  tail  banded  with  indistinct  rings  of  darker  and  lighter 
brown.     The  imperfectly-known  woolly  palm-civet  of  Thibet  differs  from 


AN    AFRICAN    AND    AN    INDIAN    CIVET. 


all  the  rest  in  the  woolly  nature  of  its  fur,  and  also  by  the  length  of  the  tail 
not  exceeding  that  of  the  head  and  body. 

The  best  known  of  all  is  the  Indian  palm-civet,  found  throughout  the 
greater  part  of  India  and  Ceylon.  The  general  color  of  the  coarse  and  some- 
what ragged  fur  is  a  blackish  or  brownish-gray,  without  any  stripes  across 
the  back  in  fully  adult  individuals.  The  length  of  the  head  and  body  of  a 
male  measured  by  me  was  twenty-two  and  one-half  inches,  and  that  of  the 
tail  nineteen  and  one-half  inches;  the  corresponding  dimensions  of  a  female 
being  in  one  instance  twenty  and  seventeen  and  one-half  inches,  while  in  a 
second  both  were  about  eighteen  inches. 

This  species  lives  much  on  trees,  especially  on  the  cocoanut  palms,  and 


324 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    a  VET, 


is  often  found  to  have  taken  up  its  residence  in  the  thick  tbatched  roofs  of 
native  houses.  I  found  a  large  colony  of  them  established  in  the  rafters  of 
my  own  house  at  Calcutta.  It  is  also  occasionally  found  in  dry  drains,  out- 
houses and  other  places  of  shelter.     It  issues  forth  at  dark,  living  by  prefer- 


AN    AFRICAN    CIVET. 


ence  on  animal  food,  rats,  lizards,  small  birds,  poultry,  and  eggs;  but  it  also 
freely  partakes  of  vegetable  food,  fruit,  and  insects.  In  confinement  it  will 
also  eat  plantains,  boiled  rice,  bread-and-milk,  etc.  It  is  very  fond  of  cock- 
roaches.    Now  and  then  it  will  commit  depredations  on  some  poultry-yard. 


THE   STORY    OF    THE    CIVET.  325 

and  I  have  often  known  it  taken  in  traps  baited  with  a  pigeon  or  a  chicken. 
In  the  south  of  India  it  is  very  often  tamed,  and  becomes  quite  domestic,  and 
even  affectionate  in  its  manners. 

One  I  saw  went  about  quite  at  large,  and  late  every  night  used  to  work 
itself  under  the  pillow  of  its  owner,  roll  itself  up  into  a  ball,  with  its  tail  coiled 
round  its  body,  and  sleep  till  a  late  hour  in  the  day.  It  hunted  for  rats, 
shrews,  and  lizards.  Their  activity  in  climbing  is  very  great,  and  they  used 
to  ascend  and  descend  my  house  at  one  of  the  corners  in  a  most  surprismg 
manner.  This  palm-civet  is  common  in  Lower  Bengal,  and  in  the  gardens  of 
the  suburban  residences  of  Calcutta  may  occasionally  be  seen  in  the  late  after- 
noon or  evening  crawling  among  the  leaves  of  a  palm  previous  to  starting  on 
its  nocturnal  wanderings.  That  it  will  sometimes  take  up  its  quarters  in  the 
very  heart  of  the  town  of  Calcutta  is  proved  by  an  incident  which  happened 
to  the  present  writer  when  employed  on  the  Geological  Survey  of  India.  At 
that  time  the  office  of  the  survey  was  situated  in  a  street  leading  down  to  the 
Hoogh  River,  in  the  old  part  of  the  city.  On  arriving  at  the  office  I  found 
my  papers  on  the  writing-table  marked  every  morning  with  the  footprints  of 
some  mammal.    I  thereupon  set  a  trap,  which  caught  a  large  civet  the  follow- 


ing night. 


^J®--*'--  ^ 


PHDTOGRAPHS    OF    ANTELOPES     SECURED    FOR     MUSEUM. 
1  AND  2,    MALE   AND  FEMALE  WATERBUCKS.      3,   ELAND.      4,    HARTEBEEST. 

336 


HUNTING  THE  ANTELOPE 

Colonel  Roosevelt  Bags  a  Gnu,  or  Wildebeest,  on  Sir  Alfred  Pease's  Estate — Excite- 
ment and  Danger  of  the  Hunt — His  First  Victim  on  African  Soil — Facts  About 
the  Many  Varieties  of  Antelope  That  Crowd  the  East  African  Velt. 


Riding  on  the  cowcatcher  along  the  Uganda  Railroad  Colonel  Roosevelt 
almost  seemed  to  be  passing  through  a  zoological  garden,  so  numerous  were 
the  representatives  of  the  East  African  fauna  that  could  be  seen  from  the 
train.  Zebras,  gazelles,  giraffes,  and  water  bucks  were  either  quietly  grazing 
on  both  sides  of  the  track  or  crossing  it  only  a  few  hundred  yards  ahead  of 
the  train.  Agile  monkeys  were  swinging  in  the  branches  of  the  giant  trees 
that  formed  groves  and  copses  here  and  there  on  the  velt,  and  now  and  then 
a  lightfooted  antelope,  scared  by  the  steam  whistle,  would  startle  and  rush 


From  photo. 

NATIVE    BEARERS    CARRYING    WATERBUCK    TO    CAMP,    WHERE   THEY    WILL    HAVE    A   GOOD    FEAST. 

327 


328 


HUNTING  THE  ANTELOPE. 


from  its  resting-place  under  some  shadowy  sycamore,  scampering  over  the 
plains  almost  as  fast  as  the  blackcrested  ostriches. 

Conspicuous  among  this  vast  assembly  of  African  beasts  was  a  huge 
queer-looking  ox  or  cow  or  horse — or  what  ? — it  was  not  easy  to  tell  how  to 
classify  it,  for  it  resembled  all  three  and  in  addition  had  the  head  and  mane 
of  an  American  bison.  The  Colonel,  however,  was  not  slow  to  recognize  in 
this  unwieldy,  shaggy  beast  the  East  African  gnu  or  wildebeest  and  he  was 
very  anxious  to  secure  a  good  specimen   for  the  National  Museum.     No 


PHOTOGRAPH    OF   AN   ELAND   BULL    WHOSE   SKIN    WAS   PREPARED    FOR   THE    MUSEUM, 


sooner,  therefore,  had  he  pitched  camp  on  Sir  Alfred  Pease's  ranch,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Kapiti  station,  than  he  set  out  in  search  of  a  herd  of  gnus. 
His  efforts  were  not  long  in  being  crowned  with  success.  A  medium-sized  herd 
was  espied  grazing  on  the  velt.  Our  Colonel  selected  a  large  bull  for  his 
target  and  succeeded,  by  stalking,  in  getting  within  shooting  distance.  But  the 
bullet  failed  to  secure  the  prey,  and  the  big  bull  turned  around,  galloping 
away  at  a  speed  hardly  to  be  expected  in  such  a  clumsy  and  heavy  animal. 
Leaving  it  to  Kermit  to  ride  down  the  fleeing  bull  the  Colonel  at  once  selected 


HUNTING  THE  ANTELOPE. 


329 


a  big  fat  cow  for  his  target.  But  even  now  the  bullet  failed  to  take  effect, 
and  as  he  had  left  his  "Tranquillity"  behind  it  was  a  long  while  until  he 
could  overtake  the  wounded  animal.  Meanwhile- Kermit  had  got  the  old 
bull  and  thus  in  a  few  hours  two  magnificent  specimens  were  secured  for  the 
Smithsonian  Institution. 

The  hunting  of  the  gnu  is  not  entirely  void  of  danger,  for  this  beast  has 
an  ugly  temper  and  when  brought  at  bay  will  show  fight.  Like  our  domestic 
bull  it  has  an  irresistible  aversion  to  scarlet,  at  the  display  of  which  color  it 


AN    ELAXl)    PHOTOGRAPHED    JUST     BEFORE    THE    FINISHING    SHOT. 

gets  furious,  and  often  makes  a  vicious  charge  when  a  red  cloth  is  hoisted. 
It  was  owing  to  this  peculiarity  of  the  gnu  that  our  former  President  a  few 
days  later  secured  another  specimen  of  the  same  wary  animal.  All  attempts 
to  get  within  shooting  distance  had  proved  futile.  The  herd  would  scamper 
away  on  the  approach  of  the  hunters  to  stop  at  a  few  hundred  yards'  distance, 
inquisitively  looking  back  to  see  if  they  were  being  pursued.  This  game  had 
been  repeated  so  long  that  our  national  hero  lost  his  patience.  Suddenly  a 
red  pocket  handkerchief  was  seen  floating  above  his  head,  and  on  came  one 
of  the  old  bulls  in  mad  fury  with  mane  erect  and  blazing  eye,  whisking  its 
streaming  tail,  butting  with  its  horns  in  a  menacing  manner,  and  displaying 
such  a  violent  frenzv  that  the  Colonel  was  fain  to  strike  his  colors  and  have 


330 


HUNTING  THE  ANTELOPE. 


recourse  to  his  weapons.  Crack !  A  rifle  shot  resounded  through  the  air  and 
down  to  the  earth  stumbled  the  infuriated  beast  only  a  few  yards  from  the 
ex-President's  feet,  to  be  followed  the  next  minute  by  another  maddened  bull, 
for  which  a  second  bullet  was  reserved.    In  less  time  than  it  takes  to  read  this 


■  ■:.i  '■x.tJ-ii-  i."  ?« l^--;j:; 


From  photograph. 


WATERBUCK  SHOT   NEAR   MACHAKOS. 


page  two  splendid  specimens  were  secured  for  the  National  Museum  and  the 
Colonel  smiled  triumphantly  to  his  native  gun-bearers,  who  in  many  ways 
showed  their  admiration  for  his  cold-blooded  presence  of  mind  and  unprece- 
dented markmanship. 

As  the  Colonel  and  his  companions  were  continuing  their  march  they  saw 
herds  of  hartebeests  and  other  smaller  varieties  of  the  great  antelope  family 
which  are  so  at  home  in  these  regions,,  but  the  almost  total  absence  of  trees 
and  the  desolate  appearance  of  the  parched  velt,  which  owing  to  the  dry  sea- 
son was  almost  void  of  all  vegetation,  made  stalking  very  difficult,  and  the 


STORY  OF  THE  ANTELOPE.  331 

shy  denizens  of  the  wilderness  generally  succeeded  in  getting  away  before 
our  hunters  could  get  within  shooting  distance. 

One  of  the  most  graceful  antelopes  is  the  waterbuck,  which  our  former 
President  hunted  near  Machakos.  Our  illustration  shows  one  of  these  beauti- 
ful animals  lying  down  in  the  grass.  It  is  about  the  size  of  a  two-year-old 
calf,  its  eyes  are  large  and  brilliant,  its  horns  heavy,  curved  upwards  and 
about  three  feet  in  length.  The  female  is  hornless  and  somewhat  smaller, 
but  has  a  mane  around  the  neck  like  the  male.  Its  flesh  is  so  coarse  that  it  is 
unfit  to  eat,  and  our  American  hunters,  therefore,  killed  only  the  specimens 
needed  for  their  collection. 

The  antelope  family  has  over  seventy  different  varieties  scattered  all  over 
the  world,  and  we  now  proceed  to  make  our  readers  acquainted  with  some 
of  them  and  mainly  those  which  the  American  hunting  expedition  met  with 
in  East  Africa. 

No  animal  in  a  wild  state  appeals  more  strongly  to  my  sympathy  than 
the  antelope.  I  have  spent  hours  watching  these  timid,  harmless,  large-eyed 
creatures,  of  which  there  are  about  seventy  different  species.  The  love  of 
the  mother  doe  for  her  fawn  is  sO'  tender  and  gentle  as  to  be  almost  human, 
and  the  absolute  faith  of  the  little  creature  in  its  mother  is  ideal. 

Although  they  are  so  timid  and  flee  at  the  first  approach  of  danger,  there 
are  times  when  certain  species  of  antelope  exhibit  a  high  order  of  courage. 
I  was  once  an  eye  wn'tness  to  an  act  of  bravery  on  the  part  of  an  antelope, 
a  South  African  gemsbok,  that  was  equal  to  that  of  any  animal  I  know.  We 
were  stalking  a  lion  in  Cape  Colony,  when  we  saw  the  big  beast  suddenly 
crouch  in  a  thicket  of  wait-a-bit  thorns,  his  gaze  intently  fixed  upon  some 
object  at  right  angles  to  where  we  were  lying.  Looking  in  the  same  direc- 
tion we  saw  a  pair  of  gemsboks  walking  unsuspectingly  toward  the  ambush. 
Just  in  front  of  the  lion  was  a  huge  ant-hill,  and  toward  it  came  the  gems- 
boks, occasionally  twitching  their  black  tails;  but  that  was  to  rid  their  flanks 
of  flies  and  not  from  any  fear  of  danger. 

As  the  antelopes  drew  near  the  ant-hill,  the  lion  drew  back  his  head  until 
it  was  nearly  concealed  under  his  black,  shaggy  mane.  They  could  not  have 
possibly  seen  him  where  he  lay,  nor  he  them,  and  he  now  appeared  to  trust 
to  his  ears  to  inform  him  of  their  approach. 

He  waited  till  both  were  opposite,  and  broadside  toward  him,  at  the 
distance  of  less  than  twenty  paces  from  the  hill.  Then  his  tail  was  seen  to 
vibrate  with  one  or  two  quick  jerks,  his  head  shot  suddenly  forth,  his  body 


332 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


spread  out  apparently  to  twice  its  natural  size,  and  the  next  moment  he  rose 
like  a  bird  into  the  air. 

With  one  bound  he  cleared  the  wide  space  that  separated  him  from  the 
nearest  of  the  gemsboks,,  alighting  on  the  hindquarters  of  the  terrified 
animal.  A  single  blow  of  his  powerful  paw  brought  the  antelope  to  his 
haunches;  and  another,  delivered  almost  at  the  same  instant,  stretched  its 
body  lifeless  on  the  plain. 

Without  looking  after  the  other,  or  seeming  to  care  further  about  it,  the 
lion  sprang  upon  the  body  of  his  victim,  and  clutching  its  throat  betw-een 
its  jaws,  commenced  drinking  its  warm  blood. 


THE   GEMSBOK   SLAYING   THE   LION. 


It  vvas  the  bull  gemsbok  which  the  lion  pulled  down,  as  this  was  the  one 
that  happened  to  be  nearest  the  hill. 

As  the  lion  sprang  upon  her  companion,  the  cow,  of  course,  started  with 
afifright,  and  we  supposed  we  would  see  her  the  next  moment  scouring  of¥ 
over  the  plain.  To  our  astonishment  she  did  no  such  thing.  Such  is  not  the 
nature  of  the  noble  oryx.  On  the  contrary,  as  soon  as  she  recovered  from 
the  first  moments  of  alarm,  she  wheeled  around  toward  the  enemy — and, 
lowering  her  head  to  the  very  ground,  so  that  her  long  horns  projected 
horizontally  in  front,  she  rushed  with  all  her  strength  upon  the  lion. 


THE  STORY  OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


333 


The  latter,  in  full  enjoyment  of  his  red  draught,  saw  nothing  of  this 
manoeuvre.  The  first  intimation  he  had  of  it  was  tO'  feel  a  pair  of  spears 
pierced  through  his  ribs,  and  it  is  not  likely  he  felt  much  more. 

For  some  moments  a  confused  struggle  was  observed,  in  which  both  lion 
and  oryx  seemed  to  take  part;  but  the  attitudes  of  both  appeared  so  odd, 


A   SOUTH    AFRICAN    GEMSBOK. 


and  changed  so  rapidly,  that  we  could  not  tell  in  what  manner  they  were 
combating.  In  a  few  moments  the  roar  of  the  lion  ceased,  and  we  knew  that 
he  was  dead. 

We  had  crawled  closer  to  witness  the  result  of  the  battle,  and  were  now 
within  easy  range  for  a  shot.     One  of  my  Kaffir  boys  raised  his  rifle  and 


334  THE   STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 

aimed  at  the  gemsbok,  but  before  he  could  pull  a  trigger,  I  held  up  my  hand 
in  warning, 

"Don't  shoot !"  I  exclaimed  at  the  same  time.    "That  gemsbok  is  entitled 
to  her  life,  and  as  far  as  I  am  concerned  she  shall  have  it." 

We  needed  venison,  too,  but  I  am  sure  I  would  not  have  enjoyed  eating 
that  noble  heroine. 

Antelopes  are  characterized  by  their  graceful  build,  and  by  the  head 
being  carried  considerably  above  the  level  of  the  back.  The  horns,  which 
may  or  may  not  be  present  in  the  females,  are  generally  long,  more  or  less 
round.  They  are  frequently  marked  with  prominent  rings,  and  have  an 
upright  direction.  Their  bony  cores,  instead  of  being  honeycombed,  as  in 
the  oxen,  sheep,  and  goats,  are  nearly  solid  throughout.  These  animals 
very  generally  have  a  gland  beneath  the  eye,  by  which  they  are  distinguished 
from  the  oxen  and  goats;  but,  as  regards  their  teeth,  some  of  them  resemble 
the  oxen,  while  others  are  more  like  those  of  the  sheep  and  goats. 

THE  GEMSBOK. 

Under  the  title  of  oryx  are  five  species  of  antelope,  found  throughout 
the  desert  regions  of  Africa,  and  also  in  Arabia  and  Syria.  In  South  Africa 
the  best  representative  of  the  oryx  family  is  the  gemsbok,  which  stands 
about  four  feet  in  height,  is  greyish  in  color,  becoming  white  beneath.  A 
black  stripe  on  the  flanks  divides  the  grey  of  the  sides  from  the  white  below., 
and  there  is  also  a  black  surface  on  the  haunches  extending  as  a  line  on  the 
back,  and  continued  over  the  whole  of  the  tail.  In  addition  to  this,  there  is 
also  black  on  the  upper  parts  of  the  limbs,  on  the  front  of  the  legs  above 
the  fetlocks,  and  along  the  throat;  the  throat-stripe  dividing  and  running 
up  the  sides  of  the  head  nearly  to  the  ears.  On  the  face  a  black  stripe  runs 
from  each  horn  through  the  eye  nearly  to  the  muzzle,  which  is  connected 
by  a  narrow  stripe  with  a  broad  black  patch  on  the  center  of  the  forehead. 
The  longest  male  horns  of  this  species  I  ever  saw  measured  were  42  inches 
in  length,  while  those  of  the  female  may  reach  46^  inches.  Horns  have  been 
recorded  measuring  47^  inches. 

Gemsboks  are  generally  met  with  where  the  country  is  either  completely 
open  or  covered  with  stunted  scrub.  They  thrive  and  attain  high  condition 
in  barren  regions  where  it  might  be  imagined  a  locust  would  not  find  sub- 
sistence; and,  burning  as  is  the  climate,  they  are  perfectly  independent  of 
water,  which,  from  my  own  observation  and  the  repeated  reports  both  of 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


333 


the  Boers  and  aborigines,  I  am  convinced  they  never  by  any  chance  taste. 
The  flesh  ranks  next  to  the  eland.  The  gemsbok  is  by  no  means  fleet,  and 
it  can  be  run  to  a  standstill  by  a  hunter  on  foot. 

In  Abyssinia  and  Somaliland  as  well  as  on  the  Red  Sea  littoral  near 
Suakin,  the  gemsbok  is  replaced  by  the  beisa,  readily  distinguished  by  the 


FEMALE    SABRE-HORNED    ANTELOPE    AND    FAWN. 


absence  of  the  tuft  of  hair  on  the  throat,  and  by  the  black  patch  on  the 
front  of  the  face  being  completely  separated  from  the  stripe  running  through 
the  eye.  The  horns  are  shorter  than  those  of  the  gemsbok.  The  sabre- 
horned  antelope  differs  from  the  others  of  the  oryx  family  in  its  recurved 
scimitar-like  horns,  and  whitish  color  which  sometimes  shows  a  reddish 
tinge. 


336 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


THE  ELAND. 

The  African  eland  is  the  largest  of  the  antelope  tribe.  They  vary  in  color 
from  a  tawny  yellow  to  a  slaty  blue,  while  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of 
their  range  they  are  sometimes  marked  with  white  stripes.  An  average-size 
bull  eland  stands  five  feet  nine  inches  at  the  withers  and  will  weigh  from 
i,ioo  to  1,500  pounds. 

Eland  are  found  both  in  the  desert-country,  and  in  wooded  districts,  both 
hilly  and  flat.     In  Nyasaland,  their  favorite  haunts  are  undulating,  well- 


A   BUCK   ELAND. 


timbered  country,  where  the  grass  is  not  too  long,  and  where  there  are 
intervening  open  plains;  as  a  rule,  they  visit  the  plains  at  night  or  in  the 
early  mornings  to  drink,  and  then  wander  back  long  distances  to  the  forest, 
where  they  spend  the  hot  hours  of  the  day.  In  the  great  Kalahari  Desert, 
where  they  are  still  common,  the  eland  go  a  long  period  without  drinking 
any  water,  except  that  which  they  may  obtain  by  eating  watermelons  and 
other  plants.  Eland  are  generally  found  in  large  herds,  numbering  from 
fifty  to  upwards  of  a  hundred  head,  but  solitary  bulls  or  small  parties  of  bulls 
are  not  unfrequently  observed. 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


337 


Elands  are  generally  accompanied  by  "rhinoceros  birds,"  which,  in  addi- 
tion to  their  natural  timidity,  make  them  difficult  to  approach  on  foot.  Con- 
sequently they  are  generally  hunted  on  horseback.  The  bulls,  when  fat, 
can  be  easily  ridden  down  by  a  good  horse;  but  the  cows  have  greater  speed 
and  staying  power.  When  pursued,  eland  frequently  leap  high  in  the  air. 
When  they  have  their  calves  with  them,  the  cows  will  attack  and  impale 
dogs  on  their  horns;  but  at  other  seasons  both  sexes  are  quite  harmless.  Mr. 
Selous  states  that  the  flesh  of  the  eland  has  been  very  generally  over-esti- 


A   NILGAI   ANTELOPE. 


mated;  and  during  the  dry  season,  when  these  animals  often  subsist  entirely 
upon  leaves,  it  is  quite  uneatable. 

THE  NILGAI. 

There  is  not  much  sport  in  hunting  nilgai,  the  largest  of  the  Indian 
antelope.  In  closely  settled  districts  they  are  as  tame  as  domestic  cattle, 
and  in  the  unsettled  districts  where  they  are  shy,  they  are  easily  ridden  down 


338 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


by  a  good  horse.  They  are  a  poor  trophy  after  they  are  shot,  as  the  meat 
lacks  flavor. 

The  nilgai  is  exclusively  a  native  of  India,  being  entirely  unknown  even 
in  Ceylon.  The  animal  is  peculiar  in  having  the  fore  limbs  longer  than  the 
hinder. 

Nilgai  are  found  either  on  the  plains  or  in  low  hills,  generally  preferring 
ground  covered  with  thin  bush,  among  which  are  scattered  low  trees,  or 
alternations  of  scrub-jungle  with  open  grassy  plains.  They  are  but  seldom 
met  with  in  thick  forest,  although  far  from  unfrequent  on  cultivated  grounds. 


'^im' 


SOUTH   AFRICAN    NATIVE   HUNTING   GNU. 


Only  the  males  have  horns,  which  are  short,  smooth  and  nearly  straight, 
directed  upward  and  backward.  Nilgai  both  graze  and  browse,  and  in  the 
cold  season  they  drink  but  once  in  two  or  three  days. 


THE  GNU,  OR  WILDEBEEST. 

Next  to  a  monkey,  I  believe  the  gnu  or  South  African  wildebeest,  as  the 
Dutch  hunters  call  them,  is  the  most  inquisitive  of  all  animals. 

In  "trecking"  across  the  Transvaal  I  would  frequently  come  upon  herds 
of  twenty  to  fifty.     As  soon  as  they  caught  sight  of  us  they  would  begin 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   ANTELOPE. 


339 


curveting  around  the  wagons,  wheeling  about  in  endless  circles  and  cutting 
all  sorts  of  curious  capers. 

While  I  was  riding  hard  to  obtain  a  shot  at  a  herd  in  front  of  me.  other 
herds  cliarged  down  wind  on  my  right  and  left,  and,  having  described  a 
number  of  circular  movements,  they  took  up  position  upon  the  very  ground 
across  which  I  had  ridden  only  a  few  minutes  before.  Singly,  and  in  small 
troops  of  four  or  five  individuals,  the  old  bull  wildebeests  may  be  seen 
stationed  at  intervals  throughout  the  plains,  standing  motionless  during  a 


THE  BLUE   OR   BRINDLED   GNU. 


whole  forenoon,  coolly  watching  with  a  philosophic  eye  the  movements  of 
the  other  game,  uttering  a  loud  snorting  noise,  and  also  a  short  sharp  cry 
which  is  peculiar  to  them.  When  the  hunter  approaches  these  old  bulls, 
they  commence  whisking  their  long  white  tails  in  a  most  eccentric  manner; 
then,  springing  into  the  air,  begin  prancing  and  capering,  and  pursue  each 
other  in  circles  at  their  utmost  speed.  Suddenly  they  all  pull  up  together 
to  overhaul  the  intruder,  when  the  bulls  will  often  commence  fighting  in 
the  most  violent  manner,  dropping  on  their  knees  at  every  shock;  then, 


340  THE   STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 

quickly  wheeling  about,  they  kick  up  their  heels,  whirl  their  tails  with  a 
fantastic  flourish,  and  scour  across  the  plain  enveloped  in  a  cloud  of  dust. 
In  addition  to  their  speed,  wildebeest  are  remarkable  for  their  extreme 
tenacity  of  Hfe;  and,  owing  to  the  vigorous  use  they  make  of  their  horns, 
are  awkward  creatures  to  hunt  with  dogs.  Europeans  find  them  good 
practice  in  rifle-shooting,  as  they  will  stand  in  herds  at  a  distance  which  they 
think  secure,  say  three  hundred  or  four  hundred  yards,  and  watch  the 
passer-by.  Only  occasionally  can  they  be  approached  within  easy  range  by 
fair  stalking;  although  they  may  be  killed  by  watching  at  their  drinking- 
holes  at  night.  During  a  thunderstorm  of  unusual  intensity,  I  walked, 
hardly  knowing  where  I  was  going,  right  into  a  herd  of  gnu.  I  did  not  see 
them  until  I  was  almost  among  them;  but  even  had  my  gun  not  been  hope- 
lessly soaked,  the  fearful  storm  made  self-preservation,  and  not  destruction, 
one's  chief  thought.  They  were  standing  huddled  in  a  mass,  their  heads 
together,  and  their  sterns  outwards,  and  they  positively  only  just  moved 
out  of  my  way,  much  the  same  as  a  herd  of  cattle  might  have  done. 

The  faculty  of  curiosity  is  largely  developed  in  the  gnu,  which  can  never 
resist  the  temptation  of  inspecting  any  strange  object,  although  at  the  risk 
of  its  life.  When  a  gnu  first  catches  sight  of  any  unknown  being,  he  sets  off 
at  full  speed,  as  if  desirous  of  getting  to  the  furthest  possible  distance  from 
the  terrifying  object.  Soon,  however,  the  feeling  of  curiosity  vanquishes 
the  passion  of  fear,  and  the  animal  halts  to  reconnoitre.  He  then  gallops  in 
a  circle  round  the  cause  of  his  dread. 

The  native  hunters  are  enabled  to  attract  a  herd  of  gnus,  feeding  out  of 
shot,  merely  by  getting  up  a  clumsy  imitation  of  an  ostrich,  by  holding  a 
head  of  that  bird  on  a  pole,  and  making  at  their  back  a  peacock's  tail  of 
feathers.  The  inquisitive  animals  are  so  fascinated  with  the  fluttering  lure, 
that  thev  actually  approach  so  near  as  to  be  easily  pierced  with  an  arrow  or 
an  assegai. 

The  gnu,  or  wildebeest,  inhabits  Southern  Africa.  At  first  sight  it  is 
diflicult  to  say  whether  the  horse,  buffalo,  or  deer  predominates  in  its  form. 
It,  however,  belongs  to  neither  of  these  animals,  but  is  one  of  the  bovine 
antelopes.  The  horns  cover  the  top  of  the  forehead,  and  then,  sweeping 
downwards  over  the  face,  turn  boldly  upwards  with  a  sharp  curve.  The 
neck  is  furnished  with  a  mane  like  that  of  the  horse,  and  the  legs  are  formed 
like  those  of  a  stag.  There  are  two  species  of  wildebeest  in  South  and  East 
Africa.  The  common,  or  white-tail  wildebeest,  is  strictly  South  African, 
while  the  blue  or  brindled  wildebeest  never  goes  south  of  the  Orange  River. 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


341 


PALA  OR  ROY-BOCK. 

The  pala  or  roy-bock  is  an  inhabitant  of  Southern  Africa,  where  it  is  seen 
in  large  herds.  It  is  a  remarkably  fine  animal,  measuring  three  feet  in  height 
at  the  shoulder,  and  being  gifted  with  elegantly  shaped  horns  and  a  beauti- 
fully tinted  coat.  The  general  color  of  the  pala  is  bay,  fading  into  white  on 
the  abdomen,  the  lower  part  of  the  tail,  and  the  peculiar  disc  of  lighter-col- 


SOUTH  AFRICAN  BOSCH  BOCK. 


ored  hairs  which  surround  the  root  of  the  tail  in  so  many  antelopes.  Its 
specific  name,  Melanipus,  is  of  Greek  origin,  signifying  black-footed,  in  allu- 
sion to  the  jetty  hue  of  the  back  of  its  feet. 

The  horns  of  this  animal  are  of  considerable  length,  often  attaining  to 
twenty  inches,  and  are  rather  irregular  in  their  growth.  They  are  very  dis- 
ti/^ctly  marked  with  rings. 


342  THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 

The  food  of  the  pala  consists  chiefly  of  tender  herbage  and  the  young 
twigs  of  the  underwood  among  which  it  generally  takes  up  its  abode.  It  is 
hardly  so  timid  as  other  animals  of  the  same  family,  and  will  often  allow 
strange  creatures  to  approach  the  herd  without  much  difficulty.  It  has  a 
curious  habit  of  walking  away  when  alarmed,  in  the  quietest  and  most  silent 
manner  imaginable,  lifting  up  its  feet  high  from  the  ground,  lest  it  should 
haply  strike  its  foot  against  a  dry  twig  and  give  an  alarm  to  its  hidden  foe. 
Palas  have  also  a  custom  of  walking  in  single  file,  each  following  the  steps  of 
its  leader  with  blind  confidence;  and,  when  they  have  settled  the  direction  in 
which  they  intend  to  march,  they  adhere  to  their  plan,  and  will  not  be  turned 
aside  even  by  the  presence  of  human  beings.  It  is  generally  found  in  or  near 
the  district  where  low  wood  prevails. 

THE  PRONG-BUCK  OR  AMERICAN   ANTELOPE. 

Of  all  the  antelope  tribe  none  affords  the  hunter  as  good  sport  and  as 
fine  venison  as  the  antelope  found  west  of  the  Mississippi  River,  and  known 
to  scientists  as  the  prong-buck  or  the  prong-horned  antelope.  At  one  time 
it  was  common  as  far  west  as  California  and  Oregon,  but  it  is  now  found 
only  in  the  Rocky  mountain  regions  and  on  the  plains  between  those  moun- 
tains and  the  northern  section  of  the  Mississippi.  It  is  a  graceful,  light- 
built  animal,  standing  about  two  feet  ten  inches  at  the  shoulder. 

The  coloration  of  the  prong-buck  is  decidedly  handsome  and  striking; 
the  general  hair  of  the  upper-parts  and  outer  surfaces  of  the  limbs  being 
chestnut.  The  hair  on  the  back  of  the  neck,  which  is  of  the  general  chestnut 
tint,  is  lengthened  into  a  kind  of  mane.  The  face  is  brownish  black;  but  the 
summit  of  the  head  above  the  eyes,  and  likewise  the  ears,  cheeks,  and  chin 
are  Avhite.  White  also  prevails  on  the  lower  portion  of  the  throat,  the  under- 
parts,  and  half  of  the  flanks,  and  extends  upwards  to  form  a  large  patch  on 
the  rump  which  includes  the  tail.  Usually  the  throat  is  crossed  by  three 
russet-yellow  bars.  The  lower  portion  of  the  limbs  is  white.  The  horns 
are  black,  save  at  the  tips,  where  they  become  yellowish;  and  their  usual 
length  is  about  12  inches.    They  are  shed  once  a  year. 

The  prong-buck  or  American  antelope  is  shy  and  timid  and  can  outrun 
the  swiftest  deer. 

In  spite  of  their  extreme  speed,  prong-buck  are  but  poor  jumpers,  and 
appear  unable  to  leap  over  any  large  object  that  may  be  in  their  path.  Their 
inability  to  leap  over  high  objects  may  no  doubt  be  attributed  to  the  fact 
that  they  live  upon  the  plains,  where  they  rarely  meet  with  such  obstruc- 


THE   STORY   OF    THE    ANTELOPE. 


343 


tions,  and  so  they  and  their  ancestors  for  untold  generations  have  had  no 
occasion  to  overleap  high  obstructions,  and  thus  from  disuse  they  do  not 
know  how  to  do  it. 

If  a  prong-buck  on  the  plains  desires  to  cross  the  railroad  track,  when 
alarmed  by  the  cars,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  he  will  strain  every  muscle 
to  outrun  the  train  and  cross  ahead  of  it,  as  if  he  suspected  a  purpose  to^  cut 
him  off  from  crossing;  and  thus  many  an  exciting  race  has  been  witnessed 
between  muscle  and  steam.  When  excited  during  its  gambols  with  its  fel- 
lows, or  by  the  emotions  of  rage  or  fear,  the  appearance  of  the  prong-buck 


PRONG-BUCK,    OR    AMERICAN    ANTELOPE. 

alters  considerably.  On  such  occasions  the  hair  of  the  white  patch  on  the 
rump  rises  up  on  each  side  of  the  backbone,  and  remains  as  erect  and  stiff  as 
bristles. 

There  are  many  stories  about  the  great  distance  that  ostriches  can  see, 
but  the  ostrich  is  near-sighted  when  compared  with  the  American  antelope. 
I  have  never  had  any  difficulty  in  getting  within  two  hundred  yards  of  an 
ostrich  under  favorable  conditions,  but  during  my  early  experience  I  never 
got  closer  than  six  hundred  yards  to  an  American  antelope.  Even  at  that 
distance  the  animal  was  wide  awake  and  fully  able  to  take  care  of  itself. 


344  THE  STORY  OF  THE  ANTELOPE. 

The  only  antelope  that  excels  the  prong"-buck  in  speed  is  the  Indian 
black-buck.  This  fact  is  proved  by  coursing  the  animals  with  greyhounds. 
A  swift  and  tough  greyhound  will  overtake  and  pull  down  a  prong-buck,  but 
I  have  never  known  one  to  catch  a  black-buck  in  the  open. 

The  hide  of  the  prong-buck  is  practically  worthless  on  account  of  the 
brittleness  of  the  hairs. 

INDIAN   BLACK  BUCK. 


INDIAN    BLACK    BUCK. 


The  handsomely  colored  black  buck,  or  Indian  antelope,  stands  about 
32  inches  at  the  shoulder.  The  usual  length  of  the  horn  varies  from  16  to 
20  inches.  The  upper  parts  of  the  animal  are  jet  black  and  the  lower  parts 
white. 

This  antelope  never  enters  forest  nor  high  grass,  and  is  but  rarely  seen 
amongst  bushes.     When  not  much  pursued  or  fired  at,  it  will  often  allow 


THE  STORY    OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


345 


men  to  come  in  the  open  within  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  some- 
times nearer.  Carts  and  natives  can  approach  still  closer.  The  black  buck 
feeds  at  all  hours,  although  it  generally  rests  during  the  middle  of  the  day. 
In  certain  districts,  where  there  is  no  fresh  water  except  in  deep  wells, 
it  is  certain  that  these  animals  never  drink;  but  several  observers  have  proved 
that  in  other  places  they,  at  least  occasionally,  drink  freely.  Like  the 
springbok,  the  black  buck  frequently  leaps  high  in  the  air  when  running. 


THE   ADDAX,    EGYPTIAN    ANTELOPE. 

The  speed  and  endurance  of  these  animals  are  well  known;  and  it  is 
but  very  seldom  that  they  are  pulled  down  on  good  ground  by  greyhounds. 
In  heavy  sand,  or  on  soft  ground  during  the  rains,  they  are,  however,  easily 
overtaken  by  good  dogs;  and  wounded  bucks  may  be  ridden  down.  The 
favorite  method  of  hunting  them,  however,  is  with  the  chita,  or  hunting 
leopard. 

Young  fawns  are  generally  concealed  by  the  does  in  long  grass.     The 


346 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


bucks  utter  a  short  grunt,  and  the    does  a    kind  of  hissing  sound    when 
alarmed. 

THE  ADDAX  ANTELOPE. 


The  addax,  or  spiral  horned  antelope,  is  a  native  of  Northern  Africa, 
ranging  from  the  Nile  to  Lake  Tchad  and  Senegal.  It  is  a  genuine  desert 
antelope.  Sometimes  it  is  called  the  Mendes  antelope,  because  in  the 
Egyptian  temple  of  Mendes  are  many  images  of  Egyptian  gods  wearing  head 


FEMALE  SWAMP  ANTELOPE. 


dresses  of  horns  which  were  spiral  shaped.  The  addax  is  of  uniformly  Tight 
color,  with  a  brownish  grey  mane.  It  has  a  huge  tuft  of  hair  on  the  forehead 
which  looks  as  if  it  had  received  the  attention  of  a  hair  dresser.  The  ancient 
Egyptians  kept  the  addax  as  a  domestic  animal. 

THE  SWAMP  ANTELOPE. 

The  harnessed  antelope  of  West  Africa  greatly  resembles  the  kuau  or 
pigmy  antelope.     The  species  shown  in  the  accompanying  illustration  is 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


347 


from  the  Camerun  mountains  and  the  Gabun  district.  This  antelope  has 
white  spots  on  the  head  and  stripes  on  the  body,  but  differs  from  other  har- 
nessed antelopes  in  the  extremely  long  hoofs,  which  are  evidently  specially 
adapted  for  walking  on  swampy  ground.  The  lateral  hoofs  are  large  and  elon- 
gated. The  male  stands  about  three  and  one-half  feet  at  the  shoulder;  and  is 
characterized  by  the  absence  of  a  fringe  of  long  hair  on  the  throat,  and  the 


A   YOUNG   BLESSBOK. 


dark  olive  tint  of  the  coat.  In  the  female  the  ground-color  of  the  fur  is  bright 
rufous,  ornamented,  as  in  the  male,  with  white  spots  on  the  face  and  stripes  on 
the  body.  The  horns  of  the  male  are  generally  about  i8  or  19  inches  in 
length,  measured  in  a  straight  line.  Little  or  nothing  appears  to  be  known  as 
to  the  habits  of  this  species  in  its  wild  state.  Its  common  name  is  swamp 
antelope. 


348 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   ANTELOPE. 


THE  BLESSBOK. 

The  blessbok  and  the  closely-alhed  bontebok,  are  smaller  South  African 
antelopes.  In  both  species  the  horns  are  compressed,  with  the  rings  strongly 
marked.  For  a  short  distance  they  run  almost  parallel,  and  then  curve 
backwards.  Their  usual  length  is  about  15  inches.  Both  species  are  charac- 
terized by  their  brilliant  purple-red  color,  and  the  broad  white  "blaze"  down 


A  WATER  BUCK. 


the  face,  from  which  the  blessbok  takes  its  name.  In  height  the  blessbok 
stands  about  3  feet  2  inches  or  rather  more  at  the  withers,  but  the  bontebok 
may  reach  from  3  feet  2  inches  to  3  feet  1 1  inches. 

The  blessboks  resemble  the  smaller  springbok  in  manners  and  habits. 
They  dififer  from  the  latter  in  the  determined  and  invariable  way  in  which 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   ANTELOPE. 


349 


they  scour  the  plains,  right  in  the  wind's  eye,  and  also  in  the  manner  in 
which  they  carry  their  noses  close  to  the  ground. 

The  water  buck  stands  upwards  of  4  feet  or  more  at  the  withers,  and 
has  long  and  very  coarse  hair,  which  varies  in  color  from  reddish  brown 
to  dark  gray,  with  an  oval  ring  of  white  on  the  buttocks,  a  white  gorget  on 
the  throat,  a  streak  of  the  same  color  on  part  of  each  eye,  and  some  white 


FEMALE  NILGAIc 


near  the  muzzle.  Good  horns  average  about  28  inches  along  the  curve. 
Water  buck  inhabit  Southern  and  Eastern  Africa  to  some  distance  north 
of  the  Zambesi;  and  they  are  never  found  in  herds  of  more  than  twenty 
individuals.  The  water  buck  is  most  partial  to  steep,  stony  hills,  and  is 
often  found  at  a  distance  of  more  than  a  mile  from  the  nearest  river,  for 
which,  however,  it  always  makes  when  pursued. 


350  THE   STORY   OF    THE  ANTELOPE. 

The  hartebeest  of  South  Ah'ica  gets  its  name  from  its  supposed  Hkeness 
to  a  stag. 

All  these  animals  differ  from  wildebeests  by  their  long  and  pointed  heads, 
ending  in  a  narrow  muzzle;  their  ringed  horns,  the  absence  of  a  mane  on 
the  neck  or  throat,  and  their  shorter  and  less  thickly-haired  tail. 

The  true  hartebeest  is  a  South  African  species,  not  ranging  as  far  north 
as  Matabeleland  and  Mashonaland.  This  fine  animal  stands  about  four  feet 
at  the  withers;  its  general  color  being  grayish  brown,  with  a  pale  yellowish 


THE    HARTEBEEST. 


patch  on  each  side  of  the  haunches,  and  black  markings  on  the  forehead  and 
nose.  The  hair  of  the  face  is  reversed  as  high  up  as  the  eyes,  or  even  to  the 
horns.  The  horns  are  long  and  boldly  ringed,  diverging  from  one  another 
in  the  form  of  a  V,  with  their  tips  directed  backwards  at  a  right  angle, 
and  the  bases  curved  away  behind  the  plane  of  the  forehead.  Their  length 
varies  in  good  specimens  from  20  to  24  inches.  It  is  one  of  the  fastest  ante- 
lopes in  Africa,  and  possesses  such  strength  as  to  render  it  almost  impossible 
for  anything  under  a  whole  pack  of  strong  and  swift  hounds  to  bring  it  to  bay. 


ZEBRA,  OR  TIGER  HORSE 

Colonel  Roosevelt  Secures  a  Zebra  for  the  National  Museum — Natives  Hunt  them  for  Food — 
A  Herd   of  Zebras   on   the   Velt — Hundreds   of   Thousands   of  them  in   East   Africa. 


While  Africa  has  no  horses  and  no  tigers,  still  it  has  an  animal  which  in 
some  respects  at  least  resembles  both  and,  therefore,  has  been  called  the 
"tiger-horse,"  or  zebra,  meaning  streaked  or  banded.  These  beautiful  equines 
are  very  numerous  in  East  Africa — some  travelers  have  estimated  their  num- 
ber at  half  a  million — and  Colonel  Roosevelt  saw  large  herds  of  them  along 
the  Uganda  Railroad  and  on  the  Kapiti  Plains.  Like  the  gnu,  the  zebra  is 
an  inquisitive  animal.  When  frightened  it  will  scamper  away  a  few  hundred 
yards  and  then  stop  and  look  around  as  if  to  find  out  who  its  pursuers  are. 
The  Colonel  secured  several  fine  specimens  of  zebra  for  the  National  Museum. 
While  he  did  not  find  the  zebra  hunt  a  dangerous  pastime,  still  it  was  not 
entirely  void  of  excitement,  for  the  zebra  is  exceedingly  ferocious  and  attacks 
with  its  teeth  anyone  approaching  sufficiently  near,  as  we  may  see  when  we 
visit  our  zoological  gardens,  which  usually  possess  one  or  more  specimens  of 
the  African  zebra. 

Our  ex-President  found  it  hard  to  distinguish  these  black-and-white  striped 
animals  even  at  close  range,  for  they  blend  remarkably  well  with  the  colors 
of  the  velt.  Under  certain  lights  they  appear  greyish,  and  when  they  were 
resting  at  noon,  in  the  shade  of  trees  and  high  bushes,  the  dancing  shadows  of 
branches  and  twigs  mingled  strangely  with  their  stripes. 

The  zebra  is  polygamous,  a  sort  of  animal  Mormon.    The  strong  stallion 

351 


352  ZEBRA,  OR  TIGER-HORSE. 

guards  his  harem  jealously.  He  is  not  only  the  lord,  but  also  the  protector  of 
his  herd.  He  acts  as  a  sentinel  and  gives  the  alarm  with  a  shrill  neigh  if  a 
beast  of  prey  or  a  hunter  approaches.  Then  the  troop  gallops  away  with  a 
great  clatter  and  in  a  cloud  of  dust.  The  zebra  is  often  also  heard  to  utter 
a  noise  like  a  hoarse  bark. 

Lately  many  attempts  have  been  made  in  British  East  Africa  to  tame  the 
zebra  and  to  make  it  generally  useful.  Some  claim  that  it  is  destined  to 
become  a  useful  "beast  of  burden"  and  draft  animal ;  in  fact,  to  take  the  place 
of  our  horse,  which  is  useless  in  the  African  tropics,  as  it  succumbs  unfailingly 
to  the  climate  and  the  tsetse-fly.  And,  no  doubt,  the  zebra  can  be  tamed,  and 
may  perhaps  become  domesticated  in  time,  but  surely  not  so  soon  as  enthusiasts 
would  have  us  believe.  This  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  a  few  young  animals, 
some  born  in  captivity,  have  been  broken  to  drive  in  fancy  carts  and  carriages. 
But  the  moment  hard  and  persistent  labor  was  asked  of  them,  as  we  dO'  of 
our  horses,  they  lie  down  and  die  of  "broken  hearts."  Meanwhile  the  British 
government  is  trying  to  solve  Africa's  horse  problem  by  producing  a  cross- 
breed of  zebra  and  horse,  which  is  expected  to  retain  the  best  qualities  of 
both  and  at  the  same  time  be  able  tO'  endure  the  climate. 

Says  a  famous  African  traveler  and  sportsman : 

My  first  introduction  to  the  zebra  in  his  wild  state  was  in  the  hilly 
country  of  Eastern  Africa.  The  native  hunters  of  my  party  wanted  some 
zebra  meat,  of  which  they  are  extremely  fond  on  account  of  the  large 
amount  of  yellow  fat  it  contains. 

Saddling  our  best  horses,  we  made  an  early  start.  It  was  ten  o'clock, 
however,  before  we  came  in  sight  of  our  quarry.  The  herd  comprised  about 
fifty  head  and  was  grazing  among  a  mixed  herd  of  antelope  and  wild  goats. 
A  large  antelope  had  been  posted  as  a  sentinel  and  gave  warning  of  our 
approach.  The  shrill  whistle  of  the  antelope  blended  with  the  peculiar 
neigh  of  the  zebras,  which  is  a  mixture  of  donkey  notes  and  the  subdued 
whining  of  a  dog. 

They  started  for  the  higher  ground  and  we  followed.  At  first  they  ran 
in  single  file,  the  stallions  ahead,  but  as  we  urged  our  horses  faster  and 
drew  closer  they  ran  more  in  a  bunch.  At  last  one  of  the  natives  got  a 
shot  at  a  fine  young  filly  and  put  a  bullet  in  her  body  ngar  the  shoulder. 
She  dropped  to  her  knees,  but  was  up  again  in  a  flash,  and  at  once  obeyed 
a  rule  in  force  among  these  animals  by  separating  from  the  herd  and  running 
off  at  right  angles.  The  natives  pursued  her,  overtook  her  and  shot  her 
down. 


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354 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  ZEBRA. 


That  night  they  had  a  great  feast.  I  tasted  the  zebra  flesh,  but  found 
it  unpalatable.  I  had  shot  two  fine  antelopes,  and  although  I  offered  my 
men  one  of  the  carcasses,  they  declined  it  and  ate  the  zebra  instead. 

The  alternating  yellowish-white  and  brown-black  stripes  of  the  zebra, 
which  markings  of  the  skin  and  hair  are  more  pronounced  than  in  any 
other  of  the  wild  animals,  not  excepting  the  tiger,  give  the  name  to  the 
animal.  Zebraed  means  banded,  and  the  name  is  appropriate  to  the  horse- 
tiger,  as  the  zebra  is  sometimes  called.  The  haunts  of  the  animal  in  its 
natural  state  are  among  the  mountainous  and  almost  inaccessible  regions  of 


A    FAMILY    OF    ZEBRAS. 


Southern  and  Eastern  Africa.  Shy  by  nature,  and  endowed  with  wonderful 
powers  of  sight,  few  zebras  have  been  captured  alive.  The  animal  is  rarely 
found  alone,  preferring  to  travel  in  large  troops.  ' 

The  three  known  species  of  zebra,  together  with  the  quagga,  form  a 
group  agreeing  in  essential  character  with  the  asses,  but  distinguished 
by  their  more  or  less  completely  striped  heads  and  bodies.  In  both  these 
groups  the  mane  is  erect,  and  the  upper  part  of  the  tail  is  free  from  long 
hairs;  while  there  are  naked  callosities  on  the  fere  limbs  only,  and  the  ears 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  ZEBRA. 


3r-  r- 
DO 


are  longer,  the  head  relatively  larger,  and  the  hoofs  narrower  than  in  the 
horse. 

The  true  or  mountain  zebra  is  the  typical  representative  of  the  striped 
group,  and  is  essentially  an  inhabitant  of  hilly  districts.  It  is  the  smallest 
of  the  three  species,  standing  from  4  feet  to  4  feet  2  inches  (12  to  12^  hands) 
at  the  withers,  and  has  relatively  long  ears  and  a  comparatively  short  mane, 
with  the  tail  but  scantily  haired.     The  general  ground-color  of  the  hair 


EAST    AFRICAN    ZEBRA. 

(Showing    how    it    is    hunted.) 


is  white,  while  the  stripes  are  black,  and  the  lower  part  of  the  face  is  light 
brown.  With  the  exception  of  the  under  parts  of  the  body  and  the  inner 
sides  of  the  thighs,  the  whole  of  the  head,  body  and  limbs,  as  well  as  the 
upper  part  of  the  tail,  are  striped. 

All  who  have  seen  zebras  in  their  native  haunts  speak  of  the  beautiful 
appearance  presented  by  a  drove  as  they  stand  for  a  moment  to  gaze  at  the 
hunter,  and  then  wheel  round  to  seek  safety  in  fiisfht*  and  as  they  afford 


356  THE  STORY  OF  THE  ZEBRA. 

but  unsatisfactory  trophies,  it  seems  a  pity  that  so  many  are  killed  for  the 
mere  sake  of  sport.  When  standing  on  sandy  ground  in  full  moonlight,  a 
zebra  harmonizes  so  exactly  with  the  color  of  its  surroundings  as  to  be 
quite  invisible  at  a  short  distance. 

It  is  very  wild  and  suspicious,  carefully  placing  sentinels,  to  look  out 
for  danger.  Notwithstanding  these  precautions,  several  zebras  have  been 
taken  alive,  and  some,  in  spite  of  their  vicious  habits,  have  been  trained 
to  draw  a  carriage.  In  all  probability  it  might  be  domesticated  like  the 
ass,  as  the  black  cross  on  the  back  and  shoulders  of  the  latter  animal  prove 
the  afiinity  between  them.  In  the  Transvaal  there  are  many  teams  made  up 
partly  of  zebras  and  partly  of  mules. 

The  quagga,  so  far  as  color  is  concerned,  forms  a  connecting  link  be- 
tween the  zebras  and  the  asses;  but  in  its  short  ears,  and  the  extent  to  which 
the  tail  is  haired,  approximates  to  the  horse.  In  height  it  stands  about  the 
same  as  the  true  zebra;  in  color  the  upper  parts  are  of  a  light  reddish-brown, 
with  the  head,  neck  and  front  half  of  the  body  marked  with  irregular  choco- 
late-brown stripes,  gradually  becoming  fainter,  until  they  are  quite  lost  on 
the  hind-quarters.  There  is  a  dark  stripe  running  down  the  back  on  to  the 
upper  part  of  the  tail;  but  the  rest  of  the  tail,  together  with  the  under-parts, 
the  inner  sides  of  the  thighs,  and  the  legs,  are  white. 

Its  actual  habitat  may  be  precisely  defined  as  within  Cape  Colony,  the 
Orange  Free  State,  and  Griqualand  West.  I  do  not  find  that  it  ever  ex- 
tended to  Namaqualand  and  the  Kalaharr  Desert  to  the  west,  or  beyond 
the  Kei  River,  the  ancient  eastern  limit  of  the  Cape  Colony  to  the  east. 


AFRICA'S  GREATEST  BIRD 

Mr.  Roosevelt's  Visit  to  Sir  Alfred  Pease's  Ostrich  Farm — The  Story  of  This  Wonder- 
ful Bird. 


While  riding  on  the  cowcatcher  along  the  Uganda  Railroad,  to  get  a 
better  view  of  the  surroundings  than  the  clo'sed  coaches  would  afford,  Mr. 
Roosevelt  had  a  splendid  opportunity  to  see  almost  all  the  various  kinds  of 
small  and  big  game  that  crowd  the  British  game  reserve  on  both  sides  of  the 
road.  Among  these  were  also  seen  the  huge  black  ostriches  so  characteristic 
to  the  animal  life  of  East  Africa.  The  Colonel  did  not  fail  to  avail  himself 
of  this  excellent  opportunity  to  see  this  interesting  bird  at  close  range  and 
to  study  its  habits. 

Some  of  the  European  residents  in  tropical  Africa  have  engaged  in  ostrich 
farming,  and  Sir  Alfred  Pease,  who  royally  entertained  our  ex-President  on 
his  magnificent  ranch,  located  in  the  middle  of  the  beautiful  Kapiti  Plains, 
has  a  large  ostrich  farm  on  his  big  estate.  While  Mr.  Roosevelt  cares  more 
for  wild  animals  and  the  exciting  hunt  of  dangerous  beasts  than  for  the  tame 
ones,  still  he  eagerly  embraced  this  rare  chance  to  inspect  an  industry  which 
bids  fair  to  become  an  important  factor  in  the  development  of  Africa  and  also 
has  proved  a  success  in  America. 

He  found  the  birds  in  an  enclosure  comprising  several  hundred  acres, 
so  as  to  leave  them  sufficient  space  to  indulge  in  their  natural  habits  of 
running  along  the  sandy  ground.  About  three  hundred  birds  were  at  the  time 
on  the  farm,  half  of  them  being  young  ones,  while  the  rest  already  wore  the 
so-much-coveted  plumage  which  makes  this  bird  so  valuable  a  possession. 

The  native  keepers  of  the  birds  entertained  the  American  visitor  with 
interesting  stories  of  their  habits,  most  of  them  having  hunted  and  captured 
ostriches  in  the  desert  and  on  the  plains. 

"The  ostrich,''  one  of  the  Swahili  servants  said,  "has  a  wary  eye  and  it 
is  very  difficult  to  approach  him  when  he  is  feeding  in  the  wilderness.  But 
he  is  a  silly  bird.  When  pursued  by  the  hunters  he  starts  tO'  run  in  the  same 
direction  as  his  pursuers  and  never  turns,  apparently  hoping  to-  outdo  them 
by  his  speed,  while  by  going  in  another  direction  he  could  easily  escape." 

The  Colonel  noticed  that  the  ostrich's  pace,  w^hen  feeding  quietly  within 
its  enclosure,  measured  about  twenty  inches,  and'  when  walking  but  not  feed- 
ing, it  was  six  inches  more.     A  keeper  chased  one  of  the  birds  around  and 

357 


358 


AFRICA'S  GREATEST  BIRD. 


when  running  at  full  speed  its  pace  was  found  to  be  from  eleven  to  fourteen 
feet  in  length.  Its  speed  was  so  great  that  it  was  no  more  possible  to  follow 
the  legs  than  the  spokes  in  a  carriage  wheel  in  r^id  motion,  and  Mr.  Roose- 
velt remarked  that  it  must  amount  to  about  twenty-six  miles  an  hour,  which 
is  somewhat  slower  than  a  railroad  train. 

The  ostrich  is  kept  exclusively  on  account  of  its  valuable  feathers.     Its 
flesh  is  tough  and  almost  black,  and  unfit  for  food.     One  ostrich  egg  is  large 


PHOTOGRAPH    OF    AN    OSTRICH  S    NEST.      THE    DARK    SPOTS    ARE    PATCHES    OF    SAND. 

enough  to  supply  a  full  meal  for  four  persons  of  ordinary  appetite,  but  their 
taste  is  not  tempting.  The  feathers  could,  until  lately,  only  be  obtained  from 
the  wild  bird,  which  had  to  be  tracked  and  hunted  by  natives,  for  very  few 
Europeans  have  succeeded  in  killing  him.  Consequently  the  ostrich  plumes 
were  very  high  priced  and  so  much  sought  for  that  the  bird  was  threatened 
with  total  extermination.  In  fact,  it  has  become  so  rare  that  it  is  only  a 
question  of  time  when  it  will  have  ceased  to  be  a  wild  animal,  and  exist  only 
as  a  domestic  or  tame  one,  like  the  camel. 

Several  attempts  have  been  made  to  train  the  ostrich  so  as  to  render  him 
useful  as  a  carrier  of  packages  and  mail  between  the  oases  of  the  deserts, 
where  he  is  perfectly  at  home  and  where  his  services  would  be  extremely 
valuable,  as  he  could  stand  the  torrid  climate  even  better  than  the  camel  and 


AFRICA'S  GREATEST  BIRD. 


359 


run  almost  as  fast  as  a  train.  But  all  such  experiments  have  proved  futile. 
This  large  and  strong  bird  is  too  stupid  to  become  Africa's  two-legged  horse, 
and  its  usefulness  seems  to  be  confined  tO'  supplying  our  ladies'  Easter  hats 
with  one  of  their  most  valuable  and  attractive  ornaments. 


WBSK^i 


A    MISSIONARY   SEWING    SCHOOL. 

While  at  Sir  Alfred  Pease's  farm  Mr.  Roosevelt  also  paid  a  visit  to  some 
of  the  missionary  stations  which  many  English  and  American  churches  have 
established  in  this  uncivilized  territory,  where  about  three  thousand  white 
men  have  settled  down  among  and  tried  to  govern  5,000,000  black  savages. 
He  was,  of  course,  much  interested  in  the  American  mission  at  Machakos,  a 


360  AFRICA'S  GREATEST  BIRD. 

former  slave  station  often  mentioned  in  Stanley's  early  travels.  He  praised 
the  missionaries  for  their  self-sacrificing  and  unselfish  work,  and  especially 
commented  upon  their  laudable  efforts  to  instruct  the  natives  in  useful  occu- 
pations and  teach  them  the  domestic  virtues,  which  so  much  contribute  to 
happiness  and  are  so  essential  to  progress.  One  of  our  illustrations  shows 
how  the  daughters  of  the  savage  natives  are  taught  the  art  of  sewing  in  a 
recently  established  sewing  school  in  the  vicinity  of  Kapiti  Plains. 

The  former  President  and  Sir  Alfred  Pease  were  entertained  at  luncheon 
by  the  American  missionaries.  The  remarkable  progress  made  by  the  natives 
who  had  been  educated  by  the  missionaries  and  their  incomparable  superiority 
over  their  savage  kinsmen,  who  still  were  roving  around  in  the  surrounding 
woods,  could  not  but  make  a  deep  impression  on  Mr.  Roosevelt.  He  considers 
the  united  efforts  to  Christianize  the  African  natives  now  being  made  by  all 
Christian  denominations  one  of  the  greatest  civilizing  agencies  now  at  work 
in  this  so  long  neglected  continent  with  its  teeming  millions  of  uneducated  and 
barbarian  aborigines. 

But  we  return  to  the  ostrich  and  its  interesting  story. 

Ostrich  farming  has  become  an  important  industry  in  several  parts  of 
Africa  and  Asia,  and  has  been  introduced  recently  into  the  United  States  and 
is  successfully  carried  on  in  Arizona  and- California.  I  have  frequently  had 
opportunities  to  study  the  habits  of  this  bird  at  these  farms.  None  of  the 
characteristics  of  the  ostrich  is  as  unique  as  the  manner  of  hiding  from  a  foe 
adopted  by  the  foolish  bird.  As  it  lives  chiefly  in  desert-like  districts  where 
the  soil  is  sandy,  it  experiences  little  difficulty  in  burying  its  head,  and  this 
subterfuge  is  always  adopted  when  flight  is  not  possible.  I  have  often  seen 
a  recently  captured  ostrich  watch  the  approach  of  a  man,  and  after  seeking 
to  escape,  it  simply  dropped  to  its  knees  and  dug  its  head  into  the  sand  until 
its  eyes  were  covered.  This  attitude  it  would  maintain  for  half  an  hour, 
when,  looking  up  and  the  man  being  out  of  sight,  it  would  resume  its 
gambols  or  feeding.  But  when  flight  is  possible,  it  escapes  danger  by  run- 
ning. Since  it  cannot  run  in  a  straight  line,  a  man  on  horseback  can  readily 
secure  it  by  intercepting  its  course,  instead  of  riding  after  it.  Its  speed  is 
greater  than  that  of  the  fastest  horse. 

I  have  seen  a  number  of  large  ostriches,  one  of  which  measured  4  feet 
10  inches  in  height  at  the  back,  and  had  a  total  length  of  4  feet  3  inches. 
Ordinary  examples  reach  only  about  3  feet  8  inches  in  height. 

The  digestion  of  an  ostrich  is  proverbial,  and  while  in  their  general  diet 
these  birds  will  eat  all  kinds  of  food,  they  are  likewise  in  the  habit  of  swallow- 


THE   STORY   OF   THE    OSTRICH. 


361 


ing  stones,  sand,  bones,  or  even  pieces  of  metal,  to  aid  in  digestion.  In 
captivity  this  habit  probably  becomes  abnormally  developed;  and  I  know 
of  instances  where  even  the  constitution  of  an  ostrich  could  not  resist  the 
effects  of  some  of  the  substances  swallowed.  Among  the  ordinary  food  of 
the  ostrich  are  comprised  many  small  animals,  birds,  snakes,  lizards  and 
insects,  as  well  as  grass,  leaves,  fruits,  berries  and  seeds. 

I  knew  of  one  that  swallowed  some  broken  bits  of  glass  and  died  in 


A    MALE   OSTRICH. 


great  agony.     It  was  a  female.     So  devoted  was  the  male  that  he  pined, 
and  died  of  grief. 

The  ostrich  is  chiefly  valuable  for  its  plumage,  and  the  Arabians  have 
reduced  the  chase  of  it  to  a  kind  of  science.  They  hunt  it  on  horseback,  and 
begin  their  pursuit  by  a  gentle  gallop;  for,  should  they  at  the  outset  use 
the  least  rashness,  the  matchless  speed  of  the  game  would  immediately  carry 
it  out  of  their  sight,  and  in  a  very  short  time  beyond  their  reach.  But  when 
they  proceed  gradually,  it  makes  no  particular  effort  to  escape.     It  does 


362 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   OSTRICH. 


not  go  in  a  direct  line,  but  runs  either  in  a  large  circle  or  first  to  one  side 
and  then  to  the  other;  this  its  pursuers  take  advantage  of,  and,  by  rushing 
directly  onward,  save  much  ground.  In  a  few  days,  at  most,  the  strength 
of  the  animal  is  exhausted,  and  it  then  either  turns  on  the  hunters  and  fights 
with  the  fury  of  despair,  or  hides  its  head,  and  tamely  receives  its  fate. 

I  can  attest  to  the  development  of  the  maternal  instinct,  which  many 
naturalists  deny.    I  once  fell  in  with  a  troop  of  about  twelve  young  ostriches 


HOW    SOUTH    AMERICAN    OSTRICHES    ARE    HUNTED. 


which  were  not  much  larger  than  guinea-fowls.  I  was  amused  to  see  the 
motlier  endeavor  to  lead  us  away,  exactly  like  a  wild  duck,  spreading  out 
and  drooping  her  wings,  and  throwing  herself  down  on  the  ground  before  us 
as  if  wounded,  while  the  cock  bird  cunningly  led  the  brood  away  in  an 
opposite  direction. 

The  ostrich  Q.gg  will  weigh  on  the  average  about  three  pounds,  being 
equal  to  two  dozen  ordinary  fowl's  eggs;  yet  one  of  them  is  not  thought  too 


AFRICAN  OSTRICHES. 


363 


364  THE   STORY   OF   THE    OSTRICH. 

much  for  a  single  man  to  eat  at  a  meal,  and  in  one  instance  two  men 
finished  five  in  the  course  of  an  afternoon.  The  approved  method  of  dress- 
ing ostrich  eggs  is  to  set  the  tgg  upright  on  the  fire,  break  a  round  hole  at 
the  top,  squeeze  a  forked  stick  into  the  aperture,  leaving  the  stem  protrud- 
ing, and  then  to  twist  the  stick  rapidly  between  the  hands  so  as  to  beat  up 
the  contents  of  the  ^gg  while  it  is  being  cooked.  Within  each  egg  there 
are  generally  some  little  smooth  bean-shaped  stones,  which  are  composed 
of  the  same  substance  that  forms  the  shell. 

In  South  America  the  place  of  the  ostriches  is  taken  by  an  allied  group 
of  birds  known  as  rheas,  or,  as  they  are  often  termed,  American  ostriches. 
The  wings  are  proportionately  longer,  and  are  covered  with  long,  slender 
plumes.  The  best  known,  and  at  the  same  time  the  most  abundant,  of  the 
three  species  by  which  the  single  genus  is  now  represented,  is  the  common 
rhea,  inhabiting  the  pampas  of  Argentina  and  Patagonia.  This  species  is 
far  inferior  in  size  to  the  ostrich,  but  it  is  the  largest  of  the  three.  It  is 
generally  seen  in  pairs,  though  it  sometimes  associates  together  in  flocks 
of  twenty  or  thirty  in  number.  Like  all  the  members  of  this  group,  it  is 
swift-footed  and  wary,  but  possesses  so  little  presence  of  mind  that  it  be- 
comes confused  when  threatened  with  danger,  runs  aimlessly  first  in  one 
direction,  and  then  in  another,  thus  giving  time  for  the  hunter  to  come  up 
and  shoot  it,  or  bring  it  to  the  ground  with  his  "bolas" — a  terrible  weapon, 
consisting  of  a  cord  with  a  heavy  ball  at  each  end,  which  is  flung  at  the 
bird  and  winds  its  coils  around  its  neck  and  legs,  so  as  to  entangle  it  and 
bring  it  to  the  ground. 

Although  now  confined  to  Africa,  Syria,  Arabia  and  Mesopotamia — and 
becoming  every  year  scarcer  in  the  three  last-mentioned  countries: — there  is 
a  probability  that  ostriches  formerly  existed  within  the  historic  period,  in  parts 
of  Central  Asia  and  possibly  in  Baluchistan,  since  there  are  several  allusions 
to  birds  which  can  scarcely  be  anything  else  than  ostriches  in  various  ancient 
w^ritings.  Quite  apart,  however,  from  this,  the  evidence  of  its  fossilized  re- 
mains shows  that  an  extinct  species  of  ostrich,  nearly  allied  tO'  the  existing 
kind,  once  inhabited  North-Western  India,  and  a  petrified  egg  from  the 
Province  of  Cherson  in  Russia,  points  to>  the  former  existence  of  these  birds 
in  that  country.  Originally  it  is  probable  that  the  ostrich  ranged  in  suitable 
localities  from  Senegambia  in  the  west,  through  Southern  Morocco',  Algeria 
and  Egypt,  to  Arabia,  Syria  and  Mesopotamia  in  the  east;  while  in  the 
other  direction  it  extended  from'  Algeria  through  Central  and  Eastern  Africa. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  LIZARD. 


In  tliis  country  there  are  many  harmless  species  of  hzard,  but  in  the 
Rocky  Mountain  region  are  found  some  that  are  exceedingly  poisonous.  The 
desert  lizard,  which  ranges  from,  Central  America  tO'  Arizona  and  New 
"Mexico,  is  the  only  one  that  has  a  deadly  sting.  The  fairy-like  teeth  have 
grooves  for  the  transmission  of  the  fluid  similar  tO'  the  cobra. 

The  lizards  are  usually  active,  bright-eyed  little  creatures,  delighting  to 
bask  in  the  sun,  near  some  safe  retreat,  to  which  they  dart  with  astonishing 
celerity  upon  the  slightest  alarm.  Two  species  of  lizards  are  found  in  the 
eastern  and  central  states — the  common  lizard  and  the  sand  lizard.  The 
latter  animal  is  considerably  larger  than  the  common  lizard,  as  it  sometimes 
measures  a  foot  in  length.  It  frequents  sandy  heaths,  and  in  the  sand  its 
eggs  are  deposited,  fourteen  or  fifteen  in  number.  The  eggs  are  hatched  by 
the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  the  young  immediately  lead  an  independent  life.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  this  as  well  as  the  common  lizard  hibernates  in  a  burrow 
usually  made  under  the  roots  of  a  tree,  nor  does  it  again  make  its  appearance 
until  the  spring. 

The  common  lizard  is  only  six  inches  in  length.  It  is  more  active  than 
the  sand  lizard,  disappearing  like  magic  on  being  alarmed.  When  seized,  its 
tail  frecjuently  snaps  off  like  grass. 

The  heart  in  man  and  the  higher  animals  is  divided  into^  a  double  set  of 
compartments,  technically  termed  auricles  and  ventricles,  each  set  having  no' 

365 


366  THE  STORY  OF  THE  LIZARD. 

direct  communication  with  the  other.  In  the  reptiles,  however,  this  structure 
is  considerably  modified,  the  arterial  and  venous  blood  finding-  a  communica- 
tion either  within  or  just  outside  the  two  ventricles,  so  that  the  blood  is  never 
so  perfectly  aerated  as  in  the  higher  animals.  The  blood  is  consequently 
much  colder  than  in  the  creatures  where  the  oxygen  obtains  a  freer  access  to 
its  particles. 

In  consequence  of  this  organization  the  whole  character  of  the  reptiles  is 
widely  different  from  that  of  the  higher  animals.  Dull  sluggishness  seems 
tOi  be  the  general  character  of  a  reptile,  for  though  there  are  some  species 
which  whisk  about  with  lightning  speed,  and  others,  especially  the  larger 
lizards,  can  be  lashed  into  a  state  of  terrific  frenzy  by  love,  rage  or  hunger, 
their  ordinary  movements  are  inert,  their  gestures  express  noi  feeling,  and 
their  eyes,  though  bright,  are  stony,  cold  and  passionless.  Their  mode  of 
feeding  accords  with  the  general  habits  of  their  bodies,  and  the  process  of 
digestion  is  peculiarly  slow. 

The  most  peculiar  feature  of  the  lizard  is  the  facility  with  which  it  is 
enabled  to^  reproduce  lost  parts,  and  more  especially  the  tail.  In  many  lizards, 
when  handled,  the  tail  breaks  off  without  any  rough  usage,  and  in  all  or 
nearly  all  it  will  readily  come  in  two  if  pulled  when  the  creature  is  seeking 
to  escape.  Such  missing  portion  of  the  tail  is  speedily  reproduced,  and 
vv'hereas  the  scaling  of  the  reproduced  portion  is  like  the  original,  in  certain 
';ther  forms  this  is  by  no  means  always  the  case. 

The  water  monitor  is  a  native  of  those  parts  of  Africa  through  which  the 
Nile,  its  favorite  river,  flows. 

The  natives  have  a  curious  idea  that  it  is  hatched  from  crocodile's  eggs 
that  have  been  laid  on  hot  elevated  spots,  and  that  in  process  of  time  it  be- 
comes a  crocodile.  It  is  almost  always  found  in  the  water,  though  it  some- 
times makes  excursions  on  land  in  search  of  prey.  To  the  natives  it  is  a 
most  useful  creature,  being  one  of  the  appointed  means  for  keeping  the  num- 
bers of  the  crocodile  within  due  bounds.  It  not  only  searches  on  land  for  the 
eggs  of  the  crocodile,  and  thus  destroys  great  numbers  before  they  are  hatched, 
but  chases  the  young  in  the  water,  and  devours  them  unless  they  can  take 
refuge  under  the  adult  of  their  own  species,  which  the  monitor  will  not  dare 
attack. 

When  full  grown,  the  water  monitor  attains  a  length  of  five  or  six  feet. 
The  color  of  this  species  is  olive-gray  above,  with  blackish  mottlings.  The 
head  is  gray,  and,  in  the  young  animal,  is  marked  with  concentric  rows  of 
white  spots.    Upon  the  back  of  the  neck  is  a  series  of  whitish  yellow  bands,  of 


THE   BLACK   IGUANA   IN   A   BANANA  TREE, 


367 


368 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   LIZARD. 


a  horse-shoe,  or  semi-hiiiar  shape,  set  crosswise,  which,  together  with  the 
equal-sized  scales  over  the  eyes,  serve  as  marks  which  readily  distinguish  it 
from  many  other  species.  The  under  parts  are  gray,  with  cross  bands  of 
black,  and  marked  with  white  spots  when  young. 

The  lizards  commonly  known  as  flying  dragons  are  elegant  and  harmless 
little  creatures  to  whom  such  a  title  seems  inappropriate,  and  therefore  I 
prefer  to  substitute  the  name  of  flying  lizards.  These  flying  lizards,  which 
are  represented  by  tw^enty-one  species,  ranging  over  the  greater  part  of  the 


WATER    MONITORS    ROBBING    A    NEST. 


Oriental  region,  are  at  once  distinguished  from  all  their  kindred  by  the  de- 
pressed body  being  provided  with  a  large  wing-like  membranous  expansion, 
capable  o^f  being  folded  up  like  a  fan.  The  throat  is  furnished  with  a  large 
membranous  expansion,  on  the  sides  of  which  are  a  smaller  pair;  and  the 
tail  is  long  and  whip^like.  The  best  known  of  the  species  is  the  Malay  flying 
lizard. 

The  flying  lizards  generally  frequent  the  crown  of  trees,   and  as  they 
are  comparatively  scarce,  and  seldom  descend  to  the  ground,  they  are  but 


GREEN   WALL   LIZARDS. 


369 


370  THE  STORY   OF  THE  LIZARD. 

rarely  seen.  As  the  lizard  lies  in  shade  along  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  its  colors 
at  a  distance  appear  like  a  mixture  of  brown  and  gray,  and  render  it  scarcely 
distinguishable  from  the  bark.  There  it  remains  with  no  sign  of  life,  except 
the  restless  eyes,  watching  passing  insects,  which,  suddenly  expanding  its 
wings,  it  seizes  with  a  sometimes  considerable,  unerring  leap.  The  lizard 
itself  appears  to  possess  no  power  of  changing  its  colors.  When  excited,  the 
appendages  on  the  throat  are  expanded  or  erected ;  and  the  ordinary  move- 
ments of  the  creature  take  the  form  of  a  series  oi  leaps. 

There  is  an  Australian  species  commonly  known  as  the  moloch,  but  termed 
by  the  settlers  the  spiny  lizard  or  thorny  devil,  which  seems  of  peculiar  in- 
terest to  me.  This  differs  from  all  the  other  members  of  the  family  in  being 
covered  with  large  conical  spines.  About  eight  inches  in  total  length,  this 
extraordinary  lizard  has  a  small  head,  with  an  extremely  short  snout,  on  the 
summit  of  which  are  pierced  the  nostrils.  O'n  each  side  of  the  head  imme- 
diately above  the  small  eye  is  a  large  horn  curving  outwards  and  backwards, 
while  there  is  a  smaller  conical  spine  above  the  nostril,  a  second  behind  the 
horn  over  the  eye,  a  third  and  larger  one  in  front  of  each  ear,  as  well  as  one 
on  each  side.  On  the  back  the  spines  form  ten  or  more  series,  of  which  the 
outermost  are  the  largest. 

Inhabiting  Southern  and  Western  Australia,  and  being  not  uncommon  in 
several  localities  in  the  neighborhood  of  Port  Augusta,  the  moloch  is  found 
only  in  districts  where  the  soil  is  dry  and  sandy.  Occasionally  two  or  three 
may  be  observed  basking  in  company  on  the  top-  of  a  sandhill ;  and  it  is  the 
frequent  habit  of  this  lizard  to  bury  itself  in  the  sand  to  a  small  depth  below 
the  surface.  Although  generally  very  slow  in  its  movements,  it  has  been 
known,  when  disturbed,  to  make  for  a  neighboring  hole  with  considerable 
speed. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  SHREW. 


The  shrew  family  has  so  many  varieties  that  I  will  have  to  confine  myself 
to  some  of  the  most  interesting-  and  important  ones.  These  elegant  little 
creatures  are  often  mistaken  for  mice,  in  fact,  they  are  commonly  called  shrew 
m.ice,  although  they  belong  to  the  family  of  insect-eating  animals,  and  resemble 
a  mole  more  than  they  do  a  mouse. 

With  the  exception  of  a  few  varieties  which  have  taken  to  a  life  in  the 
water,  the  shrews  live  on  the  land  and  are  active  only  at  night.  They  are  all 
covered  with  fur,  generally  remarkable  for  its  softness ;  the  head  is  long,  with 
a  sharply  pointed  snout  projecting  far  in  advance  of  the  tip  of  the  lower  jaw; 
their  eyes  are  extremely  small  and  bead-like.  They  are  tO'  be  met  with 
throughout  the  whole  oi  the  temperate  and  tropical  regions  of  Europe,  Asia, 
Africa  and  North  America,  as  well  as  on  many  of  the  adjacent  islands.  From 
their  obscure  and  retiring  habits  the  shrews  are  difficult  of  observation;  their 
long  and  pointed  snout,  their  elastic  form,  and  short  and  velvety  coat  enable 
them  tO'  pass  through  the  closest  herbage,  or  beneath  the  carpets  of  dry  leaves 
in  the  coppice  and  woodland,  in  which  places,  as  well  as  in  the  open  fields, 
whether  cultivated  or  in  pasture,  they  seek  their  food.  But  they  are  not  con- 
fined tO'  such  places,  however,  as  with  their  relatives,  the  water  shrews,  they 
are  often  met  with  in  marshy  and  fen  districts.  On  the  other  hand,  one  of 
the  Indian  shrews  constantly  frequents  dwelling-houses. 

The  common  shrews  are  known  by  their  red  teeth,  the  large  size  of  their 

371 


372  THE   STORY   OF   THE  SHREW. 

ears,  and  their  long  tails.  The  red-toothed  shrews  are  quite  unknown  hi 
Africa  south  of  the  Sahara,  and  they  are  only  represented  in  India  and  the  rest 
of  the  Oriental  region  by  a  single  variety. 

The  common  shrew,  found  abundantly  in  the  British  Islands,  measures 
just  short  of  three  inches  in  length,  exclusive  of  the  tail,  and  is  usually  of  a 
reddish  mouse-color,  paler  beneath,  with  the  tail  rather  shorter  than  the  body. 
There  is,  however,  considerable  individual  variation  in  color,  specimens  being 
sometimes  found  banded  with  white.  Its  food  is  insects,  worms,  snails  and 
slugs. 

Shrews  are  so  given  to-  fighting  that  tw^O'  are  rarely  seen  together  except 
when  in  a  fight,  and  if  two'  or  more  are  confined  together,  the  strongest  will 
soon  kill  the  others. 

The  strong  scent  of  the  shrew  serves  to  protect  it  against  many  foes,  but 
it  is  not  strong  enough  to  disgust  the  owd,  which  bird  kills  and  devours 
shrews  with  great  relish.    A  cat  will  kill  a  shrew  but  will  not  eat  it. 

The  varieties  of  shrews  found  in  the  United  States  are  among  the  smallest 
members  of  the  family.  They  spend  less  time  underg^'ound,  but  when  they 
move  about  on  the  surface  they  always  seek  the  cover  of  fallen  leaves  and 
twigs. 

The  naturalist  knows  that  however  cautiously  he  may  move  his  footsteps 
put  to  flight  many  forms  of  life  that  will  reappear  as  soon  as  quiet  is  restored ; 
therefore  he  often  waits  and  watches  and  stops  to  listen  and  observe.  While 
thus  occupied,  it  sometimes  happens  that  a  slight  rustling  reaches  his  ears. 
There  is  no  wind,  but  his  eyes  rest  upon  a  fallen  leaf  that  seems  toi  move. 
Presently  another  stirs,  and  perhaps  a  third  turns  completely  over.  Then 
something  like  the  shadow  of  an  embryo-  mouse  appears  and  vanishes  before 
the  eye  can  catch  its  perfect  image.  Anon  the  restless  phantom  flits  across 
an  open  space,  leaving  no-  trace  behind.  But  a  charge  of  fine  shot  dropped  with 
quick  aim  upon  the  next  leaf  that  moves  will  usually  solve  the  mystery.  The 
author  of  the  perplexing  commotion  is  found  tO'  be  a  curious  sharp-nosed 
creature,  no'  bigger  than  one's  little  finger,  and  weighing  hardly  more  than 
half  a  drachm.  Its  ceaseless  activity,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  it  darts 
from  place  to  place,  are  truly  astonishing,  and  rarely  permit  the  observer  a 
correct  impression  of  its  form.  Whenever  a  tree  or  a  large  limb  falls  tO'  the 
ground  these  shrews  soon  find  it,  examining  every  part  with  great  care,  and 
if  a  knot-hole  or  crevice  is  detected,  leading  tO'  a  cavity  within,  they  are 
pretty  sure  to  enter,  carry  in  materials  for  a  nest,  and  take  formal  possession. 
Not  only  are  these  agile  and  restless  little  shrews  voracious  and  almost  insati- 


HUH  IMIMHIWII  m     mill    I|IIIIIIHIIII|I>|1III  111    ■!  IIMjIpi 


WATER   SHREWS. 


373 


374  THE  STORY   OF   THE  SHREW. 

able,  consuming  tremendous  quantities  of  raw  meat  and  insects  with  great 
eagerness,  but  they  are  veritable  cannibals  withal,  and  will  even  slay  and 
devour  their  own  kind. 

The  marsh-shrew  from  the  Rocky  Mountains,  together  with  the  swimming 
shrew  from  one  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  differ  from  the  other  members  in  hav- 
ing their  feet  provided  with  fringes  of  long  hair. 

Another  ^'ariety  of  the  red-toothed  family  is  the  short-tailed  shrew  found 
in  the  Adirondack  Mountains, 

The  water-shrew,  although  unknown  in  Ireland,  is  found  all  over  England 
and  the  south  of  Scotland.  It  likewise  occurs  over  a  large  area  of  continental 
Europe,  from  whence  it  extends  eastwards  into  Asia  as  far  as  the  Atlas  range. 
In  the  water  these  graceful  little  creatures  are  as  much  at  home  as  water-voles 
or  beavers ;  and  in  clear  streams  they  may  be  observed  during  the  day  diving 
or  running  along  the  bottom,  and  turning  over  the  pebbles  with  their  sharp 
noses  in  search  of  fresh-water  shrimps,  which  appear  to  constitute  their  favor- 
ite food.  In  addition,  the  water-shrew  devours  many  kinds  of  water  insects  or 
their  larvae,  while  it  is  also  probable  that  it  likewise  preys  on  the  spawn  or  fry 
of  minnows  and  other  small  fish.  There  are,  moreover,  several  instances  on 
record  where  water-shrews  have  been  found  feeding  on  the  flesh  of  larger 
animals,  which  they  have  found  dead.  The  burrows  of  the  water-shrew  are 
made  along  the  banks  of  ponds  and  streams. 

The  largest  of  the  shrews  is  plentiful  in  India  and  is  known  as  the 
musk-shrew,  of  which  there  are  two'  varieties,  brown  and  gray.  The  brown 
musk-shrew  is  found  as  a  rule  in  woods  (although  it  will  occasionally  enter 
buildings),  the  gray  musk-shrew  generally  haunts  human  habitations.  The 
gray  musk-shrew  is  a  common  visitor  toi  Indian  houses.  During  the  day  it 
lies  concealed  in  holes  and  drains,  issuing  forth  at  night  tO'  hunt  over  the  floors 
of  rooms  for  cockroaches  and  other  insects ;  while  thus  engaged  it  utters  from 
time  tO'  time  a  short,  sharp  squeak.  In  respect  of  its  insect-eating  habits,  this 
musk-shrew  is  a  benefactor  tO'  mankind ;  but  these  benefits  are  accompanied  by 
the  drawback  that  various  articles  may  be  so  impregnated  with  the  musky 
secretion  of  the  animal  as  tO'  become  utterly  useless.  There  has,  however,  been 
much  exaggeration  as  tO'  the  penetrating  power  of  this  scent,  the  well-known 
but  absurd  story  that  wine  or  beer  becomes  impregnated  with  a  musky  flavor 
from  the  circumstance  of  one  of  these  shrews  having  run  over  the  outside 
of  the  bottle  containing  such  liquor,  being  a  case  in  point. 


STORY  OF  THE   HEDGEHOG. 


School  children  in  England  become  familiar  with  a  strange  little  animal 
that  is  rarely  seen  in  this  country,  although  it  inhabits  parts  of  Africa  and 
Asia.  It  is  the  hedgehog,  or  urchin,  which  is  guarded  with  spikes.  These 
spikes  are  fixed  into,  the  skin  in  a  very  beautiful  and  simple  manner.  When 
the  hedgehog  is  annoyed  it  rolls  itself  up',  and  the  tightness  of  the  skin  causes 
all  its  spines  tO'  stand  firm  and  erect,  bidding  defiance  to  an  unprotected  hand. 
While  rolled  up,  even  the  dog  and  the  fox  are  baffled  by  it;  but  their  in- 
genuity enables  them  toi  overcome  the  difficulty  by  rolling  it  along  until  they 
push  it  intO)  a  puddle  or  pool,  when  the  astonished  hedgehog  immediately  un- 
lolls  itself  tO'  see  what  is  the  matter,  and  before  it  can  close  itself  again  is 
seized  by  its  crafty  enemy. 

Many  more  fortunate  animals  have  outlived  the  aspersions  cast  upon  their 
character  by  ignorant  persons,  but  the  prejudice  against  the  hedgehog  is  still 
in  full  vigor  in  the  agricultural  districts.  Scarcely  a  farmer  or  a  laborer  will 
be  persuaded  that  the  hedgehog  does  not  suck  the  cows.  Now  this  is  an  im- 
possibility for  the  hedgehog.  The  food  of  the  hedgehog  consists  not  of  cow's 
milk,  but  insects,  frogs,  mice  and  snakes.  I  once  placed  a  snake  in  the  same 
box  with  a  hedgehog.  The  hedgehog  gave  the  snake  a  severe  bite,  and  then 
rolled  itself  up,  this  process  being  repeated  until  the  spine  of  the  snake  was 

375 


376  -THE   STORY    OF    THE   HEDGEHOG. 

broken  in  several  places ;  it  then  began  at  the  tail,  and  ate  the  snake  gradually, 
as  one  would  eat  a  radish. 

The  hedgehog  also  feeds  on  earthworms,  slugs  and  snails,  and  in  destroy- 
ing the  latter  it  may  certainly  be  regarded  as  a  friend  toi  the  gardener.  The 
consumption  of  earthworms  is  performed  in  a  rather  curious  manner.  These 
animals  are  seized  when  they  are  enjoying  the  damp  freshness  of  the  air  out 
of  their  holes,  in  summer  evenings,  and  slowly  passed  intO'  the  mouth  of 
their  enemy  from  one  end  tO'  the  other,  apparently  by  the  simple  process  of 
mastication  with  the  molar  teeth,  the  unconsumed  portion  of  the  wo^rm  being 
constantly  transferred  from  one  side  of  the  month  to^  the  other,  so  that  both 
sides  of  the  jaw  may  come  intO'  play.  This  must  be  an  unpleasant  operation 
for  the  worm,  much  as  its  captor  may  enjoy  it.  It  is  uncertain  whether  the 
larger  snails  are  eaten  by  the  hedgehog,  but  the  smaller  species  certainly  form 
a  portion  of  its  diet. 

The  new-born  young  are  almost  naked,  and  their  imperfect  spines  are 
soft,  flexible  and  white,  although  rapidly  hardening  in  the  course  of  a  few 
days.  They  are  at  first  totally  blind,  and  quite  inca4Dable  of  rolling  themselves 
up.  The  nest  in  which  the  young  are  born  is  carefully  constructed,  and  is 
said  to  be  always  protected  from;  rain  by  an  efficient  roof.  In  winter  the 
European  hedgehog  hibernates  completely,  laying  up  noi  store  of  food,  but 
retiring  to  a  nest  of  moss  and  leaves,  where,  rolled  up  in  a  ball,  it  lies  torpid  till 
awakened  by  the  returning  warmth  of  spring. 

The  flesh  of  the  hedgehog  is  said  to-  be  good  eating,  and  the  Gypsies  fre- 
quently make  it  a  part  of  their  diet,  as  do^  the  people  in  some  parts  of  the 
continent. 

There  is  a  peculiar  method  of  preparing  the  animal  for  food,  strongly  re- 
minding one  of  the  earth  ovens  used  by  the  Polynesians.  The  hedgehog  is 
simply  wrapped  up  in  a  mass  of  clay  and  put  on  the  fire.  In  process  of  time 
the  clay  is  thoroughly  baked,  and  cracks  open,  when  the  hedgehog  is  supposed 
to  be  cooked.  On  opening  the  clay,  the  skin  comes  off  with  it,  while  the  in- 
sides  of  the  animal  have  formed  themselves  into  a  hard  ball,  and  are  taken 
out  entire.  By  this  method  O'f  cooking  the  juices  are  retained,  and  not  suffered 
to  dissipate,  as  they  would  if  it  were  roasted. 

The  common  hedgehog  is  characterized  by  the  short  and  almost  imper- 
ceptible neck,  the  pig-like  snout,  from  which  it  derives  its  popular  name,  and 
also  by  the  shortness  of  its  limbs.  Exclusive  of  the  short  naked  tail,  which 
measures  about  one  and  one-half  inches,  an  average-sized  hedgehog  is  about 
ten  inches  in  length.    The  great  peculiarity  of  all  the  hedgehogs  is  the  power 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    HEDGEHOG. 


377 


they  possess  of  rolling  themselves  up  into  a  ball-like  form,  presenting  an  array 
of  spines,  impenetrable  to  the  great  majority  of  other  animals.  This  rolling- 
up  process  is  effected  by  the  aid  of  an  extraordinary  development  of  a  layer 
O'f  muscles  foimd  beneath  the  skin.  When  rolled  up,  the  head  and  feet  are 
tucked  inwards,  so  that  only  the  spines  are  exposed ;  and  it  requires  a  boM 
dog  or  fox  to  attack  a  hedgehog  when  in  this  condition.  Under  the  micro- 
scope the  spine  is  seen  toi  be  marked  by  a  number  of  parallel  grooves. 

Hedgehogs  are  represented  by  five  distinct  varieties  in  India.     It  is  re- 
markable that  while  one  of  these  hedgehogs  is  found  in  Madras,  nO'  repre- 


EUROPEAN   HEDGEHOGS. 


sentative  is  recorded  from  the  Central  Provinces  and  Bengal,  the  other  species 
not  occurring  till  we  reach  the  North- West  Provinces,  the  Punjab,  etc.  But 
little  is  known  of  the  habits  of  these  Indian  species,  and  nothing  as  to  their 
breeding;  although  it  is  probable  that  in  both  these  respects  they  conform 
closely  to  their  European  cousin.  The  long-eared  Afghan  hedgehog  common 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Kandahar  and  Ouetta,  hibernates,  but  the  species  from 
the  Punjab  and  Southern  India  are  active  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  thus 
showing  how  absolutely  dependent  is  the  habit  of  hibernation  upon  climate. 
iXhe  collared  hedgehog  found  in  the  plains  of  North- Western  India,  inhabits 


378  THE    STORY    OF    THE    HEDGEHOG. 

sandy  country,  hiding  in  holes  beneath  thorny  bushes  or  in  tufts  of  grass 
during  the  day,  feeding  chiefly  on  insects,  especiahy  a  species  of  Blaps,  and 
also  on  lizards  and  snails.  It  makes  a  grunting  noise  when  irritated,  and 
when  touched  suddenly  jerks  up  its  back  soi  as  tO'  throw  its  spines  forward, 
iinaking  at  the  same  time  a  sound  like  a  puff  from  a  pair  of  bellows.  The 
Afghan  hedgehog  feeds  on  the  slugs  and  snails  so^  common  in  the  fields  around 
Kandahar,  as  well  as  worms,  insects  and  lizards.  It  hides  during  the  day  in 
holes ;  and  hibernates  fro^m  the  end  of  October  or  beginning  oi  November  till 
February. 

Young  hedgehogs  are  pretty  little  creatures.  The  mother  generally  pro- 
duces from  four  to  six  at  a  birth.  In  color,  they  are,  at  first,  a  rose-white. 
When  they  get  to>  be  the  size  of  a  hen's  tgg,  their  prickles  are  well  developed. 
The  mother  nurses  them  for  a  short  time  only,  and  then  leaves  them  tO'  shift 
for  themselves,  which  they  are  well  able  toi  do. 

Hedgehogs  are  particularly  fond  of  cockroaches,  and  people  in  England 
often  keep  them  in  the  kitchen  tO'  destroy  these  pests. 

I  once  saw  a  hedgehog  roll  itself  intO'  a  ball  and  drop  a  distance  of  four- 
teen feet  into  an  area  way  without  doing  itself  the  least  damage.  This  gives 
a  very  good  idea  of  the  strength  of  the  prickles  in  its  skin. 


STORY  OF  THE  WILD  GOAT. 


I  have  hunted  the  wild  goat  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  in  equatorial  Africa, 
in  bleak  Siberia  and  in  the  lofty  Himalayas.  In  each  of  these  widely  sep- 
arated districts  the  animal  shows  the  same  general  characteristics  and  the 
hunter  must  needs  use  great  caution  if  he  hopes  to  secure  his  quarry. 

The  so-called  goat  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  is  about  the  size  of  a  large 
sheep,  and  averages  one  hundred  pounds  in  weight.  It  has  very  short  and 
stout  legs,  terminating  in  broad  and  blunted  hoofs,  pointed  ears  and  jet  black 
horns,  curving  backwards,  and  ringed  for  about  half  their  length,  but  smooth 
above  this.  The  body  is  covered  with  a  long  coat  of  white  hair,  which  is 
nearly  straight,  and  falls  on  the  sides  of  the  body  and  limbs,  but  is  erect  along 
the  middle  of  the  back,  and  as  it  becomes  longer  over  the  withers  and  haunches 
the  animal  looks  as  though  it  had  two  humps.  Beneath  the  hair  there  is  a 
thick  coat  of  wool.  In  length  the  horns  vary  from  six  tO'  ten  and  one-half 
inches. 

The  range  of  this  animal  extends  through  the  Rocky  Mountains  from 
about  latitude  thirty-six  degrees  in  California  at  least  as  far  north  as  latitude 
sixty-two  degrees.  I  believe  that  it  will  be  found  as  far  north  as  the  moun- 
tains reach.  It  is  extremely  abundant  in  British  Columbia,  ranging  from  its 
southern  boundary  to  the  watershed  of  the  Arctic  Ocean,  and  from  the  coast- 
line to  the  Rockies.     Here,  amid  nature's  wildest  scenes,  amid  storm-swept 

379 


380 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   WILD  GOAT. 


canons  and  beetling  crags,  amid  steel-blue  glaciers  and  snowy  peaks,  where 
the  silence  is  seldom  broken  save  by  the  rush  of  mountain  torrent,  the  howling 
of  the  storm,  or  the  crashing  of  the  treacherous  avalanche — here,  far  removed 
from  the  trail  of  the  ordinary  hunter,  the  mountain-goat,  solitary  in  its  habits, 
and  contented  with  its  chaotic  and  gloomy  surroundings,  increases  and  mul- 
tiplies. 

Its  sure-foo'tedness  and  its  boldness  are  proverbial,  as  is  its  unpleasant 


'  '"^- "'  r 


SPIRAL-HORNED    GOAT    OF   AFGHANISTAN. 


odor.  The  power  possessed  by  the  goats  of  ascending  very  steep  heights  is 
marvelous.  On  more  than  one  occasion  I  have  seen — contrary  to  the  teaching 
of  ^sop' — that  when  two  individuals  have  met  on  a  path  too  narrow  for  both 
to  pass,  one  has  lain  down  in  order  that  the  other  might  go  over  his  back. 

The  Spanish  wild  goat  inhabits  the  Pyrenees,  the  ranges  of  Central  Spain 
and  the  mountains  of  Portugal.  The  animal  seeks  the  highest  ridges  and 
peaks  of  tjie  mountains  during  the  summer,  but  in  winter  the  doe  comes  to 


THE  STORY   OF   THE    WILD  GOAT. 


381 


the  valleys,  often  to  the  villages.     Far  iipi*  among  the  snow-covered  heights 
can  be  found  the  old  bucks,  who'  disdain  seeking  shelter  from  the  storms. 

When  feeding  or  reposing,  sentinels  are  placed  in  commanding  positions 
to  apprise  the  flock  of  approaching  danger,  which  they  do  by  means  of  a  loud 
snort,  upon  which  the  whole  company  at  once  takes  tO'  flight. 


ALPINE   WILD   GOATS. 


Probably  the  most  active  of  the  wild  goats  is  the  pasang  of  Persia,  from 
which  species  the  various  breeds  of  domestic  goats  are  derived.  This  species 
has  long  scimitar-like  horns,  much  compressed,  with  the  front  edge  forming  a 
sharp  keel.  It  frequents  craggy  and  rocky  districts,  taking  leaps  of  great 
length  with  unerring  precision.     In  spite  of  the  constant  persecution  to  which 


382  THE  STORY   OF   THE    WILD   GOAT. 

it  is  subjected,  it  exists  in  vast  numbers.  On  the  Kuh-i-barf,  a  not  very  lofty 
or  extensive  hill,  constantly  shot  over,  near  Shiraz,  I  once  counted  over  a 
hundred  in  a  herd,  which  had  been  driven  toigether  by  twoi  days'  consecutive 
fusillade.  It  is  marvelously  shy  and  wary.  In  my  earlier  residence  in  P'ersia 
I  spent  many  a.  weary  day  after  them,  but  never  managed  tO'  bag  a  buck.  Even 
native  sportsmen,  though  admirable  shots  and  thoroughly  familiar  with 
every  nook  and  cranny  of  the  hills,  rarely  get  one  by  fair  stalking;  most  of 
those  killed  being  obtained  by  building  a  wall  of  loose  stones  near  water  and 
shooting  the  goats  when  drinking.  The  males  drink  in  the  morning  and 
evening  only,  but  the  females,  in  hot  weather,  at  least,  drink  alsoi  at  midday. 
Sixty  miles  north  of  Shiraz  I  came  suddenly  upon  a  herd  O'f  twenty  or  more 
does  and  kids,  drinking  by  the  roadside,  a  couple  of  hundred  yards  from  the 
foot  of  the  hills.    Except  when  alarmed,  bucks  and  does  seem  to  keep  apart. 

In  Baluchistan  these  goats  inhabit  barren  rocky  hills,  but  in  parts  of  Asia 
Minor  they  are  found  on  foTest-clad  uplands.  In  such  localities  they  may 
often  be  found  within  hearing  of  the  drovers  on  the  roads,  or  even  of  the 
railways ;  but  this  confidence  is  accompanied  by  exceeding  watchfulness.  The 
number  in  a  flock  in  these  districts  is  generally  from  four  tO'  ten,  and  at  the 
time  of  my  observations  bucks  and  does  were  found  together.  Sentinels  are 
almost  always  posted  tO'  warn  the  flock,  these  being  relieved  at  short  intervals ; 
and  it  appears  that  this  sentry-duty  is  undertaken  according  to  seniority,  the 
youngest  animals  commencing  first,  and  the  oldest  buck  taking  his  turn  last. 
In  Asia  Minor  pasang  are  hunted  both  by  driving  and  by  stalking;  but  they 
are  so  cunning  that  the  former  method  is  not  generally  very  successful.  The 
Cabulis  hunt  them  on  the  lower  ground  of  Afghanistan  with  greyhounds. 

The  bezoar-stone,  so.  highly  esteemed  in  Persia  as  an  antidote  tO'  poison 
and  a  remedy  for  several  diseases,  is  a  concretion  found  in  the  stomach  of  the 
pasang,  from  whence  it  derives  its  old  European  name  of  Pazen,  or  Pasen. 

The  wild  goats  of  the  Isle  of  Giura  are  probably  derived  from  a  domestic 
race,  perhaps  crossed  with  the  pasang.  Goats  have  also  run  wild  in  many 
other  places,  more  especially  mountainous  islands  like  St.  Helena,  Tavolara 
near  Sardinia,  and  Juan  Fernandez.  In  St.  Helena  these  wild  goats  have 
completely  destroyed  a  large  portion  of  the  native  flora,  and  this  has  resulted 
in  the  disappearance  of  much  of  the  fauna.  Goats  were  introduced  by  the 
Spaniards  into  Juan  Fernandez  in  the  year  1563.  Tliese  soon  increased 
enormously,  and  in  order  to  diminish  their  numbers  dogs  were  subsequently 
let  loose,  and  likewise  ran  wild. 


AARD-VARK,  OR  ANT-BEAR 

The  Ugly  and  Ungraceful  Earth-Hog— Has  a  Long  Prehensile  Tongue — Found  on  the  Roose- 
velt Hunting  Grounds  in  East  Africa. 


During  the  rainy  season  the  high  and  extraordinary  large  termite-hills 
found  on  the  East  African  velt  are  visited  at  night  by  a  strange  animal,  which 
spends  its  days  underground.  It  is  a  grotesquely  formed  creature  with  the 
snout  of  a  pig,  the  head  of  an  ant-bear,  the  ears  of  an  ass,  the  legs  of  an  arma- 
dillo, and  the  body  of  a  kangaroo — a  kind  of  a  composite  animal  such  as  the 
imagination  of  fanciful  artists,  painters  and  writers  may  conceive.  With  its 
long  tail  and  sharp  claws  it  beats  and  tears  to  pieces  the  ant-hills,  and  with 
its  long  and  sticky  tongue  it  collects  myriads  of  ants  and  swallows  them. 

The  earths,  or  burrows,  which  are  often  very  deep  and  wide-spreading, 
are  a  constant  danger  to  hunters,  as  the  Colonel  and  his  companions  more  than 
once  had  a  chance  to  observe  when  riding  over  the  velt  or  stalking,  for  they 
often  suddenly  felt  themselves  sinking  into  the  ground  up  to  their  waists,  as 
the  openings  were  frequently  concealed  beneath  bushes  and  difficult  to  avoid. 

When  in  South  Africa  among  the  Boers,  I  frequently  shot  those  ugly  and 
ungainly  animals  the  Boers  call  aard-varks,  or,  in  English,  earth-pigs.  It 
is  not  always  easy  to  get  a  shot  at  one,  for  they  are  keen  of  hearing,  and  rush 
to  their  burrows  at  the  slightest  unusual  sound.  When  unable  to  reach  their 
burrows,  they  dig  into  the  ground  where  they  happen  to  be,  and  they  are  so 
powerful  that  they  can  soon  sink  their  large  bodies  out  of  sighi;  even  when 
the  ground  is  hard  and  sun-baked. 

The  body  of  the  aard-vark,  which  is  usually  almost  naked,  but  sometimes 
thinly  clad  with  bristly  hairs,  is  heavy  and  ungainly.  The  long  muzzle  of  the 
head  is  almost  a  trunk;  the  ears  are  of  great  length,  and  the  tongue  can  be 
extended  like  that  of  the  pangolin,  although  it  is  not  so'  worm-like.  The  skin 
is  of  remarkable  thickness,  its  general  color  being  yellowish  brown,  with  a 
tinge  of  red  on  the  back  and  sides,  while  the  head  and  under-parts  are  light 
reddish  yellow ;  and  the  hind-quarters,  the  root  of  the  tail,  and  the  limbs  brown. 
A  full-grown  aard-vark  measures  a  little  over  six  feet  in  total  length. 

The  teeth  of  the  aard-vark  differ  from  those  of  any  other  known  animal. 
The  Cape  aard-vark  inhabits  South  and  South-Eastern  Africa ;  it  is  replaced 
in  North-Eastern  Africa  by  the  Ethiopian  aard-vark;  the  former  being  dis- 
tinguished by  the  thicker  coating  of  hair,  more  especially  on  the  back  and 
flanks,  as  well  as  by  the  thicker  and  shorter  tail,  and  the  longer  head  and  ears. 

383 


384 


THE   STORY   OF    THE   AARD-VARK. 


The  aard-varks  feed  exclusively  on  termites  and  ants.  In  South  Africa 
their  deep  burrows  are  generally  constructed  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  tall 
mounds  formed  by  the  termites;  and,  in  the  old  days,  before  these  animals 
were  hunted  for  their  skins,  it  used  to  be  said  that  wherever  termite-hiils  were 
numerous,  there  an  aard-vark  might  confidently  be  expected.  Wherever  these 
animals  are  abundant,  a  number  of  half-formed  holes  are  seen  in  the  ground 
and  on  the  sides  of  the  ant-hills,  which  have  been  commenced  and  abandoned. 
Aard-varks  usually  spend  the  whole  of  the  day  asleep  in  their  burrows,  but 


'I     I  m?^ 


THE    AARD-VARK    AND    ITS    HABITS. 


may  occasionally  be  seen  abroad  in  the  early  morning.  In  digging,  they  work 
with  their  fore-feet,  and  throw  out  huge  clods  of  earth  between  their  hind-legs. 
But  little  definitely  is  known  as  to  their  breeding-habits,  although  it  has  been 
ascertained  that  the  Ethiopian  species  gives  birth  during  May  or  June  to  a 
single  offspring.  At  birth  the  young  is  naked  and  flesh-colored ;  and  is  suckled 
by  its  parent  for  a  long  period. 


STORY  OF  THE   PANGOLIN. 


In  Africa,  south  of  the  Sahara  desert  and  in  some  parts  of  India,  I  have 
often  come  across  an  animal  which  always  made  me  think  of  a  huge  pine  cone 
supplied  with  a  head  and  legs.  This  animal  is  known  as  the  pangolin,  which 
feeds  upon  ants,  although  belonging  to  a  different  family  from  the  true  ant- 
eaters.  The  whole  upper  surface  of  the  body,  the  sides  and  the  tail  are  covered 
with  large  overlapping  horny  scales.  The  limbs  are  short,  with  five  toes.  Its 
long  worm-like  tongue  is  capable  of  being  extended  a  great  distance  from  its 
inouth. 

The  largest  pangolins  reach  a  length  of  six  feet.  They  are  burrowing 
animals,  and  are  only  abroad  at  night.  They  can  roll  themselves  in  a  ball  like 
the  other  ant-eaters,  and  when  they  are  thus  roiled  up  their  muscular  strength 
is  something  enormous. 

Asia  is  inhabited  by  three  species  O'f  the  family,  namely,  the  Indian  pango^ 
lin,  confined  to  India  and  Ceylon ;  the  Chinese  pangolin,  ranging  from  Nipal 
and  Assam  to  China ;  and  the  Malayan  pangolin,  inhabiting  the  regions  to  the 
westward  of  the  Bay  of  Bengal  as  far  as  Celebes,  and  also  occurring  in  North- 

Eastern  India. 

385 


386 


THE    STORY    OF    THE   PANGOUH. 


The  habits  of  all  the  three  kinds  are  similar,  although  the  Malayan  species 
is  probably  less  of  a  burrower  than  the  others.  The  Indian  pangolin  dwells 
either  among  the  crevices  and  clefts  of  rocks,  or  in  burrows  of  its  own  con- 
struction ;  such  burrows  extending  tO'  a  depth  of  from  eight  to^  twelve  feet 
below  the  surface,  and  ending  in  a  large  chamber,  which  may  be  as  much  as 
six  feet  in  diameter.  Here  a  pair  of  these  animals  take  up  their  abode,  and  in 
the  winter  or  early  spring  give  birth  tO'  their  young.  The  young,  which  are 
one  or  twO'  in  number,  are  covered  with  soft  scales  at  birth,  which  harden  on 
the  second  day,  but  it  does  not  appear  tO'  be  ascertained  whether  they  are  born 
blind.  When  inhabited,  the  entrance  to-  the  burrow  is  stopped  with  earth; 
and  it  is  rarely  that  its  occupants  are  seen  abroad  after  sunrise.     The  food 


THE    PANGOLIN. 


consists  chiefly  of  termites ;  the  pangolin  tearing  open  the  nests  of  these  insects 
with  its  powerful  front  claws,  and  thrusting  its  long  glutinous  tongue  into 
their  runs.  The  tongue  is  rapidly  withdrawn  with  a  swarm  of  the  white  ants 
clinging  to  it.  In  captivity  pangolins  will  readily  eat  finely-chopped  raw  meat, 
hard-boiled  eggs,  and  rice.  Their  stomachs  have  a  somewhat  gizzard-like 
structure;  and  frequently  contain  a  few  small  pebbles,  probably  introduced 
to  aid  in  triturating  the  food.  In  captivity  pangolins  drink  freely  by  rapidly 
extending  and  withdrawing  the  tongue.  I  doubt  whether  this  habit  is  natural 
to  them,  as  they  are  often  foimd  in  places  where  there  is  no  water.  When 
irritated,  pangolins  will  give  vent  to  a  hissing  sound,  but  at  other  times  they 
are  silent. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  TENREC. 


There  lives  in  Madagascar  an  insect-eating  animal  which  has  many  of 
the  characteristics  of  the  hedgehog.  The  name  tenrec  is  given  the  group, 
which  comprises  several  species.  They  are  defended  with  spines,  and  can 
roll  themselves  into  a  ball  as  the  hedgehog  does.  I  have  watched  the  creature 
defend  itself  against  the  attack  of  a  dog  and  do'  it  so'  successfully  that  the 
dog  retired  howling  with  pain. 

These  animals  are  a  great  pest  tO'  the  agriculturists  of  Madagascar,  owing 
toi  the  damage  they  inflict  on  the  rice  crops  by  burrowing  in  the  earth  beneath 
the  young  plants  in  search  of  worms  and  insects. 

They  pass  one-half  of  the  year  is  a  state  of  torpidity.  About  May  or  June 
they  dig  themselves  holes,  in  which  they  sleep  until  December,  with  their 
heads  comfortably  tucked  away  between  the  hind  legs.  Their  burrows  are 
generally  betrayed  by  the  presence  of  a  small  heap  of  earth  or  moss  thro'wn 
up  at  the  entrance.  The  animals  at  this  time  are  very  fat,  and  are  regarded 
as  great  delicacies  by  the  natives  of  Madagascar.  The  inhabitants  hunt  the 
tenrecs  with  dogs,  trained  expressly  for  the  purpose.  They  live  chiefly  in 
the  mountains,  in  places  co'vered  with  mosses,  ferns  and  bushes.  Their  food 
consists  principally  of  earthworms,  which  they  rout  out  by  means  of  their 
feet  and  pointed  snouts,  using  the  latter  after  the  fashion  of  a  pig.  Insects 
alsoi  form  a  part  O'f  their  diet ;   and  like  the  hedgehogs,  they  feed  upon  certain 

387 


388 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   TENREC. 


fruits  and  roots.  In  captivity  they  will  eat  raw  meat,  and  are  also  said  to  be 
fond  of  bananas.  They  sleep  nearly  all  the  day,  and  come  forth  in  full  activity 
only  at  night. 

The  true  tenrecs  have  a  body  much  longer  than  the  hedge-hogs,  and 
their  bristles  are  less  rigid,  the  spines  being  covered  with  soft,  silky  hair. 
The  head  is  shaped  like  that  of  the  pouched  animals.     It  is  found  not  only 


THE   TENREC   AND    ITS   HABITS. 


in  Madagascar,  but  also  in  the  islands  of  Bourbon  and  Maurice,  but  it  was 
probably  carried  to  the  latter  island  by  the  colonists.  It  is  tailless,  about 
twelve  inches  long,  and  of  a  fawn  color.  The  second  species  has  rather 
strong  prickles,  and  is  of  a  grayish-black  color. 

The  spines  of  the  tenrec  are  like  stiff  pointed  bristles,  and  are  by  no  means 
so  strong  as  those  of  the  hedgehog. 


HUNTING  THE  GAZELLE 

Colonel  Roosevelt  Secures  a  Thompson  Gazelle  for  the  National  Museum — Many  Varieties 
of  the  Gazelle  Family — East  Africa's  Most  Graceful  Animal. 


Riding  along  the  vast  plains  around  Sir  Alfred  Pease's  ranch  Mr.  Roose- 
velt and  his  companions  saw  herds  of  hartebeest  and  troops  of  the  smaller 
varieties  of  the  gazelle  family,  but  the  absence  of  trees  made  stalking  very 
difficult,  and  the  shy  denizens  of  the  velt  gradually  succeeded  in  getting  away 
before  our  hunters  could  get  within  shooting  distance. 

Mr.  Roosevelt  was  especially  anxious  to  kill  one  of  the  beautiful  Grant's 
gazelles  for  the  National  Museum  in  Washington,  but  this  wary  and  light- 
footed  animal  eluded  all  his  attempts  and  after  several  hours'  exhausting  pur- 
suit he  had  to  give  it  up  for  the  time  being.  But  he  succeeded  in  shooting  a 
Thompson  gazelle,  a  smaller  variety  of  the  great  antelope  family. 

The  two  kinds  of  gazelles  most  frequently  seen  by  the  American  hunting 
expedition  in  East  Africa  were  the  Thompson  gazelle  and  the  Grant  gazelle. 
The  latter  one  is  a  beautiful  large  animal  and  was  discovered  in  i860  by 
Grant  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Victoria  Nyanza,  while  the  smaller  variety  killed 
by  Mr.  Roosevelt  was  not  known  to  European  naturalists  until  the  English 
traveler,  Thompson,  found  it  twenty-five  years  ago-. 

The  stately  male  Grant  gazelle  is  adorned  with  long  and  beautifully  bent 
horns,  those  of  the  female  also  being  long  but  not  quite  so  heavy.  This  species 
is  spread  all  over  British  East  Africa  and  runs  in  herds  of  many  animals. 
The  herds  are  in  general  separated  according  tO'  sex ;  the  female  herds,  how- 
ever, mostly  being  accompanied  by  one  or  more  bucks.  The  Grant  gazelle 
inhabits  the  open  plains,  avoiding  the  thick  forests,  but  frequents  localities 
thinly  covered  with  bushes.  It  feeds  not  only  on  grass,  but  also  on  leaves 
and  fruits. 

While  the  Grant  gazelle  is  very  shy  and  cautious  still  it  is  not  entirely  safe 
to  pursue  it  too  incautiously.  The  hunter  may  come  dangerously  near  to 
being  impaled  on  its  pointed  horns.  A  famous  naturalist  narrowly  escaped 
this  fate  a  short  time  ago.  Resting  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Meru  moun- 
tain he  suddenly  saw,  in  the  distance,  a  single  gazelle.  He  stalked  it.  and 
fired  at  it,  at  a  distance  of  about  nine-hundred  feet,  but  only  wounded  the  ani- 
mal. He  was  greatly  astonished  when  he  saw  it  running  towards  him  instead 
of  from  him  as  he  had  expected.  He  fortunately  succeeded  in  killing  the  en- 
raged animal  by  a  second  shot. 

The  smaller  variety  known  as  the  Thompson  gazelle,  which  was  killed  by 

389 


390  HUNTING  THE  GAZELLE. 

Mr.  Roosevelt,  resembles  the  Grant  gazelle  in  form  and  color,  but  is  much 
smaller.  It  lives  in  the  open  grass-grown  plain,  is  slow  to  realize  its  clanger 
and  will  allow  a  hunter  to  approach  within  three  hundred  feet.  The  male  has 
long  and  strong  horns;  those  of  the  female  are  poorly  developed  and  ill- 
shaped.  When  running  away  from  an  enemy  these  animals  carry  their  heads 
erect  only  at  the  start,  but  in  full  flight  they  lower  them  considerably.  One 
may  often  see  these  pygmy  gazelles,  which  feed  exclusively  on  grass,  pastur- 
ing amone  the  tame  cattle  of  the  Masai  tribe.  The  natives  abstain  from  eat- 
ing  their  flesh  and  seldom  hunt  them.  An  almost  constant  movement  of  the 
comparatively  long  tail  to  and  fro  characterizes  the  Thompson  gazelle  and 
enables  one  to  recognize  the  animal  at  a  great  distance. 

The  gazelle  is  occasionally  discerned  in  company  with  gnus  and  other  ani- 
mals. In  British  East  Africa  near  the  Nakuru  and  Elmenteita  lakes,  thou- 
sands of  them  are  found.  These  pygmy  gazelles  help  to  bring  life  into  the 
desert,  salt  and  natron  steppe  of  this  vast  country.  May  they  long  continue 
to  do  so,  says  a  distinguished  traveler  and  nature-friend. 

One  of  the  most  graceful  and  beautiful  species  of  this  family  of  animals 
is  the  giraffe  gazelle.  Imagine  a  diminutive  giraffe,  exceedingly  slender  and 
graceful,  of  brownish  color,  provided  with  horns  and  capable  of  standing 
like  a  goat  on  its  hind  legs.  Thus  appears  the  giraffe  gazelle,  or  greenuk. 
It  is  widely  distributed  and  has  been  observed  in  the  remotest  regions  of  the 
steppe  of  East  Africa.  The  male  is  provided  with  peculiarly-shaped  horns; 
the  female  has  none. 

Near  Nairobi  and  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Kenia  the  American  hunters  often 
noticed  in  the  bright  light  of  the  setting  sun,  an  animal  rising  on  its  hind 
legs  to  browse  on  the  leaves  of  the  mimosas.  At  first  sight  they  thought 
the  animal  to  be  a  giraffe;  for  in  the  clear  atmosphere  of  the  steppe  it  is 
not  easy  to  judge  the  distance  and  size  of  an  object.  They  soon  realized 
that  they  were  mistaken  and  that  they  had  before  them  the  greenuk — the 
giraffe  gazelle.  They  secured  several  specimens  of  this  rare  and  little  known 
animal. 

The  giraffe  gazelle  can  live  far  from  water  and  is  very  hard  to  hunt.  It 
manages  to  exist  in  the  desert  thorn  wilderness  and  is  able  to  find  enough 
food  in  the  midst  of  a  dry  and  very  scanty  vegetation.  This  gazelle  avoids 
forests  and  parts  of  the  steppe  with  luxuriant  vegetation.  It  spends  the  day 
in  the  shade  of  acacia  bushes,  and  seeks  its  food  early  in  the  morning  or  late 
in  the  evening. 


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392  HUNTING   THE  GAZELLE. 

When  suspecting  clanger  the  animal  stands  for  a  moment  erect  and 
motionless,  as  if  cast  in  bronze.  Then  it  bends  its  long  neck  so  that  it  forms 
almost  a  line  with  its  body  and  moves  noiselessly  over  the  ground  to  the 
nearest  cover.  To  the  pursuing  hunter  the  animal  suddenly  seems-  to  have 
vanished  into  the  ground,  but  from  a  higher  point  it  can  be  seen  gliding  along 
like  a  shadow.  No  wonder  that  the  giraffe  gazelle  has  so  long  escaped  the 
observation  of  many  African  travelers. 

The  American  hunters  found  stalking  the  giraffe  gazelle  very  difficult 
and  highly  fatiguing  in  the  thorny  hunting  grounds,  which  are  its  favorite 
haunts.  Progress  is  slow  and  the  aniinal  is  apt  to  notice  the  hunter  long 
before  he  has  become  aware  of  its  presence.  Then  he  must  fire  a  chance  shot 
or  wait  until  the  giraffe  gazelle  raises  its  head  above  the  thorns.  They  used 
to  stalk  the  giraffe  gazelle  in  the  heat  of  the  day,  when  it  took  its  siesta.  If 
one  does  not  mind  the  heat,  one  is  often  well  repaid  for  the  trouble.  In  the 
neighborhood  of  the  extinct  Kilimanjaro  volcano  a  sportsman  once  killed, 
within  a  few  hours,  five  bucks  and  sighted  fifteen  does,  but  spared  them. 

To  the  above  we  add  the  following  interesting  facts. 

The  gazelle  is  regarded  as  the  embodiment  of  grace  and  beauty,  and  is 
celebrated  in  song  and  story.  It  is  usually  of  a  sandy  colo-r  and  has  a  white 
streak  on  the  side  of  the  face  from  the  base  of  the  horn  nearly  to  the  nose, 
thus  cutting  off  a  dark  triangular  patch  in  the  middle  of  the  forehead,  while 
the  streak  itself  is  bordered  by  a  dark  line.  The  horns,  which  are  generally 
present  in  both  sexes,  are  recurved  and  completely  ringed  throughout  the 
greater  part  of  their  length.  Most  of  the  gazelles  do  not  exceed  thirty  inches 
in  height,  although  the  mohr  reaches  thirty-six  inches.  There  are  about 
twenty-one  living  species. 

The  gazelle  so  famous  in  Oriental  poetry  inhabits  Arabia  and  Syria.  Its 
eyes  are  very  large,  dark  and  lustrous,  so  that  the  Oriental  poets  love  to  com- 
pare the  eyes  of  a  woman  to  those  of  a  gazelle,  just  "as  Homer  constantly  ap- 
plied the  epithet  ox-eyed  to  the  more  majestic  goddesses,  such  as  Junoi  and 
Minerva.  It  is  easily  tamed  wdien  young,  and  is  frequently  seen  domesticated 
in  the  court  yards  oi  houses  in  Syria.  Its  swiftness  is  so  great  that  even  a 
greyhound  cannot  overtake  it,  and  the  hunters  are  forced  to  make  use  of 
hawks,  which  are  trained  to  strike  at  the  head  of  the  gazelle,  and  thus  con- 
fuse it  and  retard  its  speed,  so  as  to  permit  the  dogs  to  come  up.  The  color 
of  this  pretty  little  animal  is  a  dark  yellowish  brown,  fading  into  white  on 
the  under  parts. 

One  of  the  most  important  members  of  the  gazelle  family  is  the  South 


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394 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   GAZELLE. 


African  springbok.  The  springbok  derives  its  name  from  its  habit  of  sud- 
denly leaping  in  the  air;  and  is  remarkable  both  for  the  vast  numbeis  in 
which  it  formerly  occurred,  and  for  its  periodical  migrations.  I  was  once  a 
spectator  of  the  remarkable  scene  produced  by  one  of  these  migrations.  For 
aboiit  two  hours  before  dawn  I  had  been  lying  awake  in  my  wagon,  listening 
to  the  grunting  of  the  buck  within  two  hundred  yards  of  me;  imagining  that 


THE    GOITRED    GAZELLE. 


some  large  herd  of  springboks  was  feeding  beside  my  camp,  but,  rising  when 
it  was  light  and  looking  about  me,  I  beheld  the  ground  toi  the  northward  of 
my  camp  actually  covered  with  a  dense  living  mass  of  sprinkboks,  marching 
slowly  and  steadily  along.  They  extended  from  an  opening  in  a  long  range 
of  hills  on  the  west,  through  which  they  continued  pouring  like  the  flood  of 
some  great  river,  toi  a  ridge  about  a  mile  to  the  north-east,  over  which  they 


THE  STORY  OF  THE   GAZELLE. 


395 


disappeared — the  breadth  they  covered  might  have  been  somewhere  about  half 
a  mile.  I  stood  upon  the  fore-chest  of  my  wagon  for  nearly  two  hours,  lost  in 
astonishment  at  the  novel  and  wonderful  scene  before  me,  and  had  some 
difficulty  in  convincing  myself  that  it  was  a  reality  which  I  beheld,  and  not 
the  wild  and  exaggerated  picture  O'f  a  hunter's  dream. 

The  goa  or  Thibetan  gazelle  is  distinguished  by  the  white  disc  around  the 
tail,  the  long  winter-coat,  short  ears  and  tail,  the  greatly  curved  horns  and  the 
uniform  color  of  the  face.     The  height  of  the  animal  is  twenty-four  inches; 


PHOTOGRAPH   OF  MALE  GIRAFFE  GAZELLE.      AN   EXTREMELY   BEAUTIFUL   AND  RARE  SPECIES,   RECENTLY 

FOUND   IN   EAST   AFRICA. 


and  the  largest  recorded  horns  measure  fifteen  and  three-quarter  inches  in 
length;  the  number  of  rings  varying  from  twenty  tO'  thirty.  This  gazelle 
inhabits  the  Thibetan  plateau  at  elevations  O'f  from  thirteen  thousand  to  eight- 
een thousand  feet,  and  goes  in  small  parties  of  from  two  or  three  tO'  a  dozen. 
It  is  less  shy  than  other  species. 

Another  of  the  true  gazelles  is  characterized  by  the  white  of  the  rump 
extending  forward  in  an  angle  into  the  fawn-color  of  the  haunci.ies;  both 
sexes  having  horns,  which  are  frequently  longer  than  in  the  other  groups ;  the 
animals  themselves  beings  also  relatively  large. 


396  THE  STORY   OF   THE   GAZELLE. 

Its  swiftness  is  such  that  it  can  but  seldom  be  taken  with  dogs ;  but  it  does 
not  leap  in  the  air  like  the  dorcas.  This  gazelle  keeps  much  tO'  waste  ground, 
especially  where  that  is  broken  up  by  ravines,  but  it  is  seldom  seen  on  alluvial 
plains,  and  it  haunts  cultivation  less  than  the  [Indian]  antelope.  I  have  fre- 
quently found  it  among  scattered  bushes  or  thin  tree-jungle,  and  it  may  be  met 
with  on  undulating  ground  even  on  the  top  of  hills;  it  is  commonly  found 
amongst  sand-hills,  and  is  nowhere  so^  abundant  as  in  parts  of  the  Indian 
desert.  It  lives  on  grass  and  the  leaves  of  bushes,  and,  I  believe,  never  drinks, 
iot  it  is  common  in  tracts  where  there  is  no  water  except  from  deep  wells. 

A  peculiar  gazelle,  known  as  the  gerenuk,  or  Waller's  gazelle,  inhabits 
Eastern  Africa,  and  is  remarkable  for  the  great  length  of  its  neck,  which  has 
been  likened  to  a  miniature  giraffe. 

The  gerenuk  is  found  all  over  the  Somali  country  in  small  families,  never 
in  large  herds,  and  generally  in  scattered  bush,  ravines  and  rocky  ground.  I 
have  never  seen  it  in  the  cedar-forests,  nor  in  the  treeless  plains.  Gerenuk 
are  not  necessarily  found  near  water ;  in  fact,  generally  in  stony  ground  with 
a  sprinkling  of  thorn-jungle.  Its  gait  is  peculiar.  When  first  seen,  a  buck 
gerenuk  will  generally  be  standing  motionless,  head  well  up,  looking  at  the 
intruder,  and  trusting  to  its  invisibility.  Then  the  head  dives  under  the  bushes, 
and  the  animal  goes  off  at  a  long,  crouching  trot,  stopping  now  and  again 
behind  some  bush  to  gaze.  The  trot  is  awkward-looking,  and  very  like  that 
of  a  camel ;  the  gerenuk  seldom  gallops,  and  its  pace  is  never  very  fast.  In 
the  whole  shape  O'f  the  head  and  neck,  and  in  the  slender  lower  jaw,  there  is 
a  marked  resemblance  between  the  gerenuk  and  the  dibatag.  It  subsists  more 
by  browsing  than  by  grazing,  and  it  may  not  unfrequently  be  observed  stand- 
ing up  on  its  hind-legs,  with  outstretched  neck,  and  its  fore-feet  resting 
against  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  in  order  to  pluck  the  foliage. 

The  goitred  gazelle  is  rather  a  heavy  animal,  found  in  Eastern  Siberia, 
Chinese  Mongolia  and  Western  Thibet.  It  also  inhabits  Persia,  and  a  fa- 
vorite sport  of  Persian  noblemen  is  to  hunt  it  with  the  chita,  or  trained  hunting 
leopard. 

A  beautiful  species  of  gazelle  is  the  Dorcas,  found  in  Egypt  and  Barbary, 
where  it  lives  in  large  troops  upon  the  borders  of  the  cultivated  country,  and 
also  in  the  deserts.  When  pursued  it  flies  to  some  distance,  then  stops  to  gaze 
a  moment  at  the  hunters,  and  again  renews  its  flight.  The  flock,  when 
attacked  collectively,  disperse  in  all  directions,  but  soon-  unite,  and  when 
brought  to  bay  defend  themselves  with  courage  and  obstinacy,  uniting  in  a 
close  circle,  with  the  females  and  fawns  in  the  center,  and  presenting  their 


THE  STORY   OF   THE   GAZELLE. 


39r 


horns  at  all  points  to  their  enemies ;  yet,  notwithstanding  their  courage,  they 
are  the  common  prey  of  the  lion  and  panther,  and  are  hunted  with  great  per- 
severance by  the  Arabs  and  Bedouins  of  the  desert.  When  taken  young  they 
are  easily  domesticated,  and  soon  become  familiar.  This  animal  is  frequently 
cut  upon  the  monuments  oi  Egypt  and  Nubia. 

Referring  again  to  the  beautiful  Arabian  gazelle,  or  as  it  is  properly  called, 


RED-FRONTED   GAZELLE. 


ariel  gazelle,  it  may  be  said  that  it  is  still  hunted  by  the  Arabs  for  its  flesh, 
w^hich  is  excellent,  as  it  was  by  the  ancient  Egyptians. 

On  the  eastern  frontier  of  Syria  are  several  places  allotted  tO'  the  hunting 
of  this  animal,  or  rather  for  its  entrapment  or  destruction.  An  open  space  on 
the  plain,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  square,  is  enclosed  on  three  sides  by  a 
wall  of  loose  stones  too'  high  for  the  gazelle  tO'  leap  over.  Gaps  are  left  in 
different  parts  of  the  wall,  and  at  each  gap  a  deep  ditch  is  sunk  on  the  outside. 


398  THE  STORY  OF  THE   GAZELLE. 

The  inclosnre  is  situated  near  some  rivulet  or  spring  to  which  the  gazelles 
resort  in  summer.  When  the  sport  is  to  begin,  many  peasants  assemble  and 
watch  till  they  see  a  herd  of  gazelles  advancing  from  a  distance  toward  the 
inclosure,  intO'  which  they  drive  them.  The  gazelles,  frightened  by  the  shouts 
of  the  people  and  the  discharge  of  the  fire-arms,  endeavor  to  leap  over  the  wall, 
but  can  only  effect  this  at  the  gaps,  where  they  fall  into^  the  ditch  outside,  and 
are  easily  taken,  sometimes  by  hundreds.  The  chief  of  the  herd  always  leaps 
first,  and  the  others  follow  him  one  by  one.  The  gazelles  thus  captured  are 
immediately  killed,  and  their  flesh  sold  to  the  Arabs  and  neighboring  Fellahs. 
Of  the  skin  a  kind  of  parchment  is  made,  and  used  tO'  cover  the  small  drum 
with  which  the  Syrians  accompany  some  musical  instruments  or  the  voice. 

Referring  again  to  the  trek  of  the  Springboks :  The  migration  is  called 
a  trek  bokken.  So  great  is  the  number  of  animals  in  these  migrations  that 
those  which  happen  to  get  into  the  rear  of  the  troop  are  lean  and  half-starved 
before  the  migration  is  concluded,  from  the  advanced  ranks  cropping  the 
scanty  pastures  almost  bare,  and  thus  leaving  those  behind  nearly  destitute 
of  food;  but  when  the  journey  is  concluded,  and  the  troop  begins  to  retrace 
its  steps  northward,  those  which  formed  the  van  during  the  advance  are 
necessarily  in  the  rear  returning,  soon  lose  their  plump  condition,  and  are 
in  their  turn  subjected  to  want  and  starvation.  During  these  migrations 
the  herds  are  closely  followed  by  lions,  panthers,  hyenas  and  wild  dogs, 
which  hang  upon  their  flanks  and  destroy  great  numbers  of  them.  There 
is  perhaps  no  spectacle  in  nature  more  inspiring  than  a  flock  of  these  beauti- 
ful gazelles  enlivening  the  dreary  brown  karroos  of  South  Africa  with  theif 
graceful  motions;  now  leaping  perpendicularly  upward  to  the  height  of  si:^' 
or  seven  feet,  displaying  at  the  same  time  the  snowy-white  marks  on  thei/ 
croups,  and  anon  flying  over  the  desert  with  the  speed  of  a  whirlwind. 


7HE  CAFFRE-CAT 

The  Ancestor  of   the   Domestic   Cat — A   Native   of  Africa   and   Asia — Worshipped   by  the 
Egyptians. 

Among  the  other  smaller  beasts  of  prey  which  the  American  hunting 
expedition  came  across  in  East  Africa  were  also  a  number  of  wild-cats. 
This  animal  frequents  long  grass,  reeds  and  bushes,  especially  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  small  streams  and  rivers.  It  is  strictly  nocturnal  in  its  habits  and 
very  seldom  seen  in  daytime,  and  then  only  by  chance. 

While  hunting  elephants  on  the  western  side  of  the  Kilimanjaro  I  saw, 
says  an  African  traveler,  again  and  again,  a  shy  black  cat.  From  my  stand 
I  could  often  see  it  far  below  me,  jumping  gracefully  over  the  dew-laden 
grasses  and  the  branches  which  blocked  its  wav;  but  before  I  could  take  aim 
it  always  disappeared  into  the  thicket.  For  many  nights  it  avoided  the  traps 
I  set  to  catch  it.  One  morning,  however,  my  taxidermist  surprised  me  with 
the  welcome  news,  "We  have  got  her."  Saying  this  he  held  out  to  me  a  fine 
serval,  or  black  cat.  She  appeared  to  be  uniformly  black,  but,  holding  her 
against  the  light,  I  could  see  the  darker  spots  shining  through.  On  the  plains 
of  the  steppe  I  met,  though  very  rarely,  the  grey  wild-cats. 

The  caffre  cat  is  about  the  size  of  a  large  domestic  cat,  and  is  generally 
of  a  yellowish  color,  darker  on  the  back,  and  paler  on  the  under-parts.  The 
body  is  marked  with  faint  pale  stripes,  which  assume,  however,  on  the  limbs 
the  form  oi  distinct  dark  horizontal  bands;  and  the  tail,  which  is  relatively 
long,  is  alsoi  more  or  less  distinctly  ringed  towards  its  tip,  where  it  is  com- 
pletely black.     The  sides  of  the  face  are  marked  by  twO'  horizontal  streaks. 

The  caffre  cat  is  found  throughout  Africa,  from  the  Cape  of  Algiers  and 
Egypt,  and  also^  extending  intO'  Southwestern  Asia  in  Syria  and  Arabia.  In 
past  times  it  also'  ranged  intO'  Southeastern  Europe.  At  the  period  when  the 
caffre  cat  lived  in  Gibraltar,  Spain  was  doubtless  connected  by  land  with 
Africa.  These  cats  were  held  sacred  by  the  ancient  Egyptians,  and  enor- 
mous numbers  of  their  bodies  were  embalmed  and  preserved  in  tombs  and 
pits. 

Darwin  considered  that  the  origin  of  the  domestic  cat  could  not  be  deter- 
mined with  certainty;  and  concluded  by  remarking  that  whether  domestic 
cats  have  descended  from  several  distinct  species,  or  have  only  been  modified 
by  occasional  crosses,  their  fertility,,  so  far  as  is  known,  is  unimpaired. 

399 


400 


THE   STORY   OF   THE   CAFF  RE   CAT. 


That  the  ancient  Egyptians  had  succeeded  in  taming  thoroughly  the  cats 
of  which  the  mummified  bodies  are  found  in  large  numbers  is  perfectly  well 
ascertained.  This  is  indeed  demonstrated  by  a  painting  in  the  British  Museum, 
representing  a  fowling  scene.  It  appears  tO'  have  been  the  custom  for  the 
fowler  to  enter  upon  such  expeditions  accompanied  by  some  of  the  female 
m.embers  of  his  family.  Embarking  on  board  a  boat,  with  a  few  decoy-birds 
and  a  trained  cat,  they  proceeded  to  such  parts  of  the  river  as  were  fringed 
v^'ith  dense  masses  of  the  tall  papyrus-reed.     Waterfowl  of  various  species 


THE   CAFFRE   CAT,    WORSHIPED    BY    EGYPTIANS. 


swarmed  in  these  rushy  covers ;  and,  by  the  number  of  nests  with  eggs  and 
young  usually  represented,  we  are  doubtless  to  infer  that  the  possession  of  this 
sort  of  stock  was  no  less  desired  than  that  of  the  birds  themselves.  The  cat, 
strange  as  it  appears,  was  certainly  taught  to  seize  upon  the  birds.  It  is 
probable  also  that  the  repugnance  of  this  animal  to  wet  her  feet  having  been 
overcome  by  training,  she  was  accustomed  to  fetch  such  birds  as  fell  into  the 
water.    It  is  interesting  to  find  the  cat  domesticated  at  so  early  a  period. 


CLOSING    INCIDENTS    OF    THE 
ROOSEVELT  AFRICAN  HUNT. 

Search  for  the  -White  Ehinoeeros  and  Other  Eare  Big  and  Small  Game — Interest- 
ing Adventures  in  Wildest  and  Darkest  Africa,  Uganda  and  Belgian  Congo — Down  the 
Nile. 


When  Colonel  Roosevelt  and  the  Smithsonian  scientific  expedition  of 
naturalists  and  explorers  arrived  at  Kampala,  the  native  capital  of  the  Uganda 
Protectorate,  four  days  before  Christmas,  they  had  completed  the  first  stage 
of  their  great  enterprise  and  entered  upon  the  second.  They  now  left  behind 
them  such  indications  of  civilization  and  progress  as  railroads  and  telegraphs 
and  entered  wildest  Africa,  where  they  had  to  rely  on  their  own  feet  for  loco- 
motion and  could  not  even  expect  to  hear  from  the  outside  world  by  mail. 

The  end  of  Colonel  Roosevelt's  last  trip  in  the  British  East  African  Pro- 
tectorate had  been  spectacular.  This  safari  trip,  which  was  the  fourth  one 
made  out  of  Nairobi,  gave  our  ex-President  and  his  party  an  opportunity  to 
witness  an  exciting  hunt  at  A.  E.  Hoy's  farm  at  Singoi,  in  the  Guaso 
Nguisho  country,  and  the  spearing  of  a  lion  by  Nandi  warriors. 

As  soon  as  Colonel  Roosevelt  had  arrived  on  the  back  of  his  favorite 
horse.  Tranquility,  followed  by  a  long  stream  of  porters,  which  came  wind- 
ing across  the  veldt  toward  the  station  at  Nairobi,  looking  like  a  string  of 
ants,  the  stars  and  stripes  being  held  aloft  by  a  giant  native,  and  the  sound  of 
horns  making  strange  discords  with  the  chanting  of  the  weird  and  elusive 
safari  song,  the  game  of  cornering  an  angry  lion  by  native  spearmen  began. 

The  band  of  seventy  almost  naked  men,  with  their  long  sharp  spears,  at- 
tended by  the  chosen  spectators,  the  latter  being  mounted,  proceeded  down  a 
long  valley  where  the  grass  was  thick  and  thorn  trees  lined  the  edges. 

Soon  a  lion  was  observed  not  more  than  400  yards  in  front.  Immedi- 
ately the  warriors  gave  chase,  and  in  less  than  twO'  miles  they  had  rounded 
up  the  king  of  the  wilderness.  The  horsemen  then  approached,  and  it  was 
seen  that  the  lion  at  bay  was  a  full-grown,  black-maned  one. 

The  spearmen  began  their  task  of  surrounding  their  quarry.    Everyman 

401 


402  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

went  to  his  allotted  position,  and  the  circle  slowly  closed  in  on  the  snarling 
beast,  which  swished  its  tail  and  kept  up  a  continual  roaring. 

The  warriors  drew  to  within  some  twenty  yards  of  the  lion,  and  the  col- 
onel and  the  horsemen  closed  up  to  see  the  kill,  yet  remained  at  a  sufficient 
distance  so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  spearmen's  movements.  Three  times 
the  lion  made  a  savage  charge  at  the  now  stationary  warriors,  but  stopped 
short  each  time,  with  mane  bristling,  roaring  in  impotent  rage  at  its  tormen- 
tors. 

Again  the  attacking  party  advanced  to  within  ten  yards  of  their  victim. 
One  last  desperate  effort  and  the  lion  drove  directly  at  the  line,  only  to 
fall  with  ten  spears  quivering  in  its  body.  But  in  that  brief  moment  it  man- 
aged to  drag  down  one  of  the  natives,  its  claws  sinking  into  the  man's  flesh. 

The  death  of  the  king  of  beasts  seemed  to  awaken  all  the  fire  in  the 
warriors'  blood.  They  began  a  dance  of  triumph  around  the  body,  waving 
their  blood-stained  spears,  some  of  which  were  bent  by  the  force  of  the  shock ; 
holding  their  shields  above  their  heads  and  shouting  forth  blood-curdling  yells 
in  the  excess  of  their  savage  joy  over  the  victory. 

In  the  meantime  the  injured  man  was  given  medical  attention.  He  bore 
the  pain  of  his  wounds  without  a  sign  of  concern.  He  who  first  had  jabbed 
his  spear  through  the  lion  joined  in  the  dance  at  the  start,  but  soon  retired  to 
a  distance,  where  he  seated  himself,  apparently  indifferent  to  the  antics  of 
his  fellows.  He  now  was  a  leader  of  men  and  must  therefore  not  show  sign 
that  he  had  done  anything  out  of  the  ordinary. 

This  exciting  game  formed  the  closing  scene  of  the  colonel's  safari  in 
British  East  Africa.  He  immediately  took  the  train  for  Port  Florence  and 
proceeded  to  Entebbe  by  steamer  on  Victoria  Nyanza  as  related  in  a  previous 
chapter. 

The  party  stayed  only  over  night  in  Entebbe,  where  they  were  enter- 
tained by  the  British  governor  of  the  Protectorate.  The  next  day  Roosevelt 
and  Kermit  were  taken  to  Kampala  in  motor  cars,  while  the  other  members 
of  the  expedition  arrived  by  steamer. 

Kampala  is  located  on  the  western  shore  of  Victoria  Nyanza  on  a  dom- 
ineering elevation.  The  colonel  was  met  by  a  magnificent  sight.  The  whole 
brow  and  sides  of  the  hill  were  covered  with  gigantic  grass  huts  neatly 
thatched  and  fenced  all  around  with  the  tall  yellow  reeds  of  the  Uganda 
tiger-grass.  In  the  center  of  this  vast  conglomeration  of  huts  the  regal  pal- 
ace, a  building  of  extraordinary  dimensions  and  neatness,  raised  its  majestic 


CLOSING  INCIDENTS  ^  403 

dome  high  above  the  other  dwellings,  while  within  the  enclosure  the  lines  of 
huts  were  joined  together,  or  partitioned  off  into  courts  with  walls  of  grass. 

Here  our  ex-President  and  party  were  cordially  received  and  heartily 
welcomed  by  the  thirteen-year-old  King  of  Uganda,  Daudi  Chwa,  or  Daniel 
Chwa.  At  each  gate  they  passed  officers  on  duty  who  opened  and  shut  it  for 
them,  jingling  the  big  bells  which  were  hung  upon  them.  The  first  court 
passed,  they  were  greeted  by  courtiers  dressed  in  gorgeous  uniforms.  The 
king,  through  his  prime  minister,  Sir  Apolo  Vagwar,  expressed  his  pleasure 
of  having  the  honor  of  receiving  the  Americans  and  wished  the  expedition 
success  during  their  stay  in  Uganda. 

Like  old  Rome,  Kampala  is  a  city  of  seven  hills.  Each  division  or  sub- 
urb is  on  a  separate  hill.  When  street  cars  in  the  future  invade  this  secluded 
abode  of  seventy  thousand  picturesque  Bagondas,  it  will  have  to  be  elevated 
roads,  for  the  hillsides  are  so  steep  that  they  cannot  be  ascended  on  horse- 
back, and  between  them  are  marshy  ravines  with  little  turbulent  streams  rush- 
ing down  to  the  big  lake. 

The  ex-President  found  this  wonderful  city  in  the  wilderness  traversed 
by  innumerable  broad  roads  or  streets,  on  each  side  of  which  were  reed  fences, 
and  back  of  these  rich  and  luxuriant  banana  groves,  which  almost  hid  the 
native  huts  from  the  stranger's  view.  The  whole  city  looked  like  an  im- 
mense garden,  and  nothing  but  the  government  buildings,  the  king's  palace 
and  the  mansions  of  his  ministers  and  officers  of  state,  the  spires  of  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  Cathedral  and  other  Christian  churches  could  be  seen  towering 
above  the  broad  sea  of  leaves. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  found  the  native  savage  inhabitants  of  the  capital  of 
the  Uganda  Protectorate  highly  intelligent,  quick  and  keen  of  perception, 
clever  and  polite  and  full  of  admiration  for  the  white  man,  whose  civilization 
they  looked  upon  as  something  extraordinary.  They  were  anxious  to  en- 
tertain their  American  guest  to  the  best  of  their  ability. 

Uganda  was  first  discovered  by  the  African  explorer,  Captain  Speke,  in 
1869,  and  visited  by  Stanley  in  1875.  His  glowing  description  of  this  re- 
markable black  kingdom  and  its  powerful  and  intelligent  king,  the  famous 
Mutesa,  aroused  a  great  interest  in  England  and  the  first  Protestant  mis- 
sionaries were  sent  out  there  in  1877.  Their  work  has  been  so  successful 
that  now  300,000  of  the  natives  have  been  converted  to  Christianity. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  visited  the  late  King  Mutesa's  grave  near  Kampala. 
It  was  an  immense  mound  or  earthen  pyramid  watched  by  two  old  women, 


404  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

who  jealously  guarded  the  sacred  abode  of  the  once  so  mighty  ruler  from 
the  curiosity  of  visiting  strangers. 

When  Roosevelt  left  America  to  spend  the  winter  in  the  African  tropics, 
grave  apprehensions  were  entertained  by  many  of  his  friends  that  he  never 
might  return  home  alive.  Our  brave  hero  laughed  at  their  anxious  fears. 
But  when  he  left  civilization  behind  and  entered  the  unbroken  wildernesses 
of  Uganda  he  found  himself  in  the  midst  of  new  and  extraordinary  difficul- 
ties that  well  might  have  deterred  a  less  courageous  and  strenuous  traveler 
from  progressing  farther  into  the  very  heart  of  wildest  Africa. 

The  expedition  that  left  Kampala  last  Christmas  consisted  of  Colonel 
Roosevelt,  Kermit,  Mearns,  Heller,  Loring  and  Cunninghame.  They  had 
thirty  porters  and  boys  to  carry  their  200  loads  of  supplies.  Their  destina- 
tion was  Rhino  Camp  in  Belgian  Congo,  which  is  a  permanent  basis  for 
hunters,  and  where  the  ex-President  expected  to  find  the  white  rhinoceros,  the 
killing  of  which  was  one  of  the  chief  objects  of  his  African  hunting  trip. 
This  beast  is  very  rare  and  many  African  sportsmen  have  failed  in  securing 
specimens  of  the  same.  If  the  game  sought  for  was  not  found  within  a  week 
in  the  territory  formerly  remarkable  for  its  presence,  the  quest  was  to  be 
abandoned. 

Their  road  went  through  one  of  the  most  beautiful  countries  on  earth. 
Uganda  has  been  called  the  garden  spot  of  the  tropics.  The  tropical  vegeta- 
tion that  meets  the  eye  on  every  side  excells  in  luxuriance  and  brilliancy 
every  thing  seen  elsewhere  on  earth.  The  charming  attractiveness  of  the 
scenery,  the  glowing  floral  beauty  of  the  landscape,  the  millions  of  crimson 
purple,  yellow  and  violet  blossoms  that  cover  the  fields,  the  beautiful  many 
colored  plants  and  trees  that  grow  in  profusion  around  the  green  lawns — 
everything  seems  to  breathe  beauty  and  exhale  paradisiacal  flavors. 

At  short  intervals  they  came  upon  little  thriving  villages  imbedded  in 
luxuriant  groves  of  bananas,  orange  and  lemon  trees,  the  banana  being  the 
most  important  productive  food  plant  of  this  country,  while  coffee,  tea, 
cocoa  and  vanilla  plantations  formed  pleasant  interruptions  in  the  eternal 
monotony  of  the  endless  cotton  fields  or  cinnamon  forests  and  double  avenues 
of  young  rubber  trees  extended  on  both  sides  along  the  roads.  Add  to  this 
royal  luxuriance  of  the  tropical  vegetation  the  fact  that  Uganda,  being  on  an 
altitude  of  4,000  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  enjoys  a  lovely,  almost  tem- 
perate climate  and  that  soft,  cool  breezes  day  and  night  sweep  over  the  fields. 


CLOSING  INCIDENTS.  405 

and  you  will  have  come  as  near  the  ideal  of  an  earthly  paradise  as  seems 
possible  on  this  side  the  grave. 

But  a  terrible  and  baneful  fate  hangs  like  a  Damocles  sword  over  the 
sunny  field  of  this  benign  region.  We  have  already  mentioned  the  frightful 
epidemic  plague  which  during  the  last  seven  years  has  been  Uganda's  curse 
and  swept  away  over  300,000  of  its  natives  and  killed  off  almost  all  cattle 
and  domestic  animals  they  possessed.  Mr.  Roosevelt  everywhere  came  upon 
traces  of  the  fearful  ravages  of  this  horrible  destroyer.  The  beautiful  vil- 
lages were  abandoned,  the  natives  having  either  succumbed  to  the  deadly 
disease  or  fled  to  the  woods.  The  regions  along  the  rivers  and  the  lakes, 
where  the  fatal  tsetse  fly  lives,  were  devastated,  and  it  was  impossible 
to  buy  provisions.  Millions  of  poisonous  insects  swarmed  around  them  and 
covered  their  faces  and  hands,  so  that  they  often  had  to  march  by  torches  at 
night  to  protect  themselves  against  these  unwelcome  intruders.  One  of  the 
most  troublesome  of  these  pests  was  a  species  of  tick  which  aimed  right  at 
the  eyes  and  whose  bite  often  caused  a  severe  eye  disease  sometimes  resulting 
in  blindness.  Another  not  less  disagreeable  disturber  of  their  peace  was  the 
termite  or  red  ant,  millions  of  which  crawled  along  their  path  and  when 
stepped  upon  or  otherwise  irritated  would  attack  them  by  the  thousands  and 
bury  their  stings  in  their  tender  flesh. 

Now  and  then  they  passed  some  of  the  isolation  camps  for  the  sufferers 
of  the  terrible  sleeping  sickness  which  the  British  government  had  estab- 
lished. It  was  pitiable  to  see  the  poor  children,  men  and  women  who  were 
found  there  in  all  stages  of  the  disease,  some  immediately  after  the  inocula- 
tion of  the  poisonous  germ  and  others  battling  for  life  in  the  last  throes  of 
death. 

A  redeeming  feature  of  this  sombre  picture  of  death  and  desolation  was 
the  kind  and  courteous  behaviour  of  the  Bagandas.  The  natives  the  Ameri- 
can expedition  met  were  generous  and  extremely  polite.  Whenever  they 
went  to  visit  them  in  their  huts  they  always  gave  them  a  present,  which  var- 
ied according  to  the  wealth  of  the  tribe.  Sometimes  it  was  a  cow,  but  often 
it  would  be  only  a  big  woven  basket  with  a  few  eggs  in  the  bottom,  but  the 
owner  invariably  presented  it  with  great  politeness  and  ceremony,  and  asked 
them  to  take  it  with  them. 

The  Baganda  boys  would  sometimes  accompany  them  on  the  march  and 
it  was  considered  polite  to  preceed  them  on  the  journey  for  several  hours — 


406  *  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

yea,  they  were  so  courteous  as  to  part  the  grass  as  they  walked  and  cautioned 
them  against  stepping  into  holes. 

But,  notwithstanding  the  beauty  and  richness  of  the  vegetation  the  Col- 
onel and  his  companions  found  the  road  from  Kampala  to  Lake  Albert  tire- 
some and  monotonous.  Not  that  the  voyage  offered  only  one  kind  of  scenery. 
On  the  contrary,  there  were  the  most  remarkable  varieties  and  contrasts,  but 
a  particular  class  of  landscape  was  distributed,  so  to  speak  in  large  chunks. 
What  they  saw  one  day  they  saw  for  the  whole  next  week.  The  enormous 
masses  of  commonplace  Vegetation  seemed  to  have  grown  over  and  smoth- 
ered the  human  race.  In  this  dense  poll  of  vegetation,  exciting  no  emotions, 
offering  no  prospects  of  anything  new,  man  is  of  but  little  more  significance 
than  the  gorilla  and  the  chimpanzee — his  houses  or  huts  produced  no  more 
scenic  effects  than  large  bird's  nests.  He  cannot  lift  himself  above  the  scrub 
and  tall  grass.  If  he  cuts  it  down,  it  simply  grows  up  and  surrounds  him 
again  holding  his  spirit  in  bondage  and  depriving  him  of  that  energy  which 
has  lifted  other  races  up. 

Even  in  animal  life,  the  American  expedition  found  these  forests  and 
glades  strangely  deficient.  Beasts  there  were;  but  in  contrast  to  the  eastern 
plains  where  they  were  too  conspicuous,  they  were  rarely  to  be  seen.  In  the 
whole  journey  from  Kampala  to  Lake  Albert  the  only  wild  mammals  which 
they  saw  were  a  party  of  baboons  in  Unyoro.  They  were  crossing  the  road 
which  was  cut  through  the  usual  tall  grass,  a  little  way  in  front  of  them, 
and  stopped  for  a  moment,  and  turned  with  interest  to  see  what  the  strange 
creatures  were.  Almost  the  only  other  four-limbed  creature  they  saw  was  a 
chameleon. 

O'ne  form  of  animal  life,  however,  was  very  abundant  in  these  regions — 
butterflies.  They  were  found  in  a  somewhat  unusual  place,  namely,  the  pud- 
dles on  the  road.  Indescribable  quantities  of  these  insects  had  settled  on  the 
road  in  many  places,  forming  bright  spots  of  white  and  yellow,  and  were  so 
engrossed  in  their  uncleanly  banquet,  debauching  themselves  with  low  ca- 
rouses in  dirty  water,  particularly  if  there  was  a  little  filth  or  carrion  in  it, 
that  they  let  the  caravan  drive  over  them  without  stirring 

From  Uganda  they  passed  into  the  kingdom  of  Unyoro.  While  the  road 
somewhat  deteriorated  as  they  passed  farther  west,  the  scenery  of  the  two 
countries  was  very  much  the  same,  being  composed  of  hills  with  low-lying, 
marshy  country  between  them.  The  road  scaled  the  height  and  wallowed  in 
the  marshes  with  the  most  inflexible  determination,  and  no  reason  or  obsta- 


CLOSING  INCIDENTS.  A07 

cle  could  induce  it  to  deviate  from  its  straight  direction.  The  ups  and  downs 
were  terribly  steep,  and  in  some  places  white  ants  had  erected  solid  fortresses 
in  the  center  of  the  highway. 

After  passing  Haima,  the  pretty  capitol  of  Unyoro,  the  ups  and  downs  of 
the  road  increased  in  severity  as  they  approached  Lake  Albert,  and  terminated 
in  a  final  precipitous  descent. 

At  Butiaba,  where  the  American  expedition  approached  the  lake,  arriv- 
ing there  Januarj'  7,  it  is  surrounded  by  a  low  level  plain,  two  or  three  miles 
wide,  from  which  rise  cliffs  about  1,500  feet  high.  The  soil  was  impreg- 
nated with  salt,  and  supported  but  little  vegetation. 

Butiaba  is  by  no  means  a  town,  for  it  consists  of  only  three  or  four  sheds 
and  a  pier,  and  has  no  inhabitants  of  any  kind.  The  hunting  party  found 
a  steam  launch,  which  had  in  tow  two  steel  boats  for  their  equipment,  waiting 
for  them  at  the  pier,  to  take  them  across  the  northern  end  of  Lake  Albert 
and  up  the  Bar-el-Jebel  river.  They  left  Butiaba  at  10  o'clock  in  the 
morning  and  arrived  at  Koba  at  1 1 150  P.  M.  Forty  minutes  later  the  jour- 
ney was  continued  to  Wadelai  and  thence  to  Rhino  camp,  which  was  reached 
at  daybreak.  It  is  located  on  the  Congo  side  of  the  Bar-el-Jebel  river. 
The  distance  from  Butiaba  to  Wadelai  is  y2  miles  and  was  covered  in  a  re- 
markably short  time. 

All  the  way  they  passed  through  schools  of  hippopotami  who  rose  to 
the  surface  round  the  launch,  which  they  treated  with  supreme  indifference. 
Everywhere  there  was  a  display  of  water-birds  as  remarkable  in  its  way  as 
the  antelope  and  zebras  on  the  Athi  or  Kapiti  plains.  Some  ran  about  on  the 
flat  leaves  of  the  water-lily,  while  some  chattered  in  the  trees  along  the  river, 
where  they  had  constructed  whole  cities  of  bottle-shaped  nests,  and  many  stood 
on  one  leg  contemplating  the  scene  with  that  grave  calmness,  which  is  so  char- 
acteristic of  the  family  of  cranes  and  storks.  The  Bar-el  Jebel  or  Upper 
Nile,  along  which  our  hunters  were  now  passing,  has  no  banks,  and  it  is  very 
hard  to  say  where  the  water  ends  and  the  land  begins,  for  a  carpet  of  vegeta- 
tion and  flowers  spreads  from  the  land  over  the  edge  of  the  river,  while  the 
river  overflows  the  land  and  creates  a  shallow  marsh  a  few  inches  deep.  All 
this  renders  landing  very  uncomfortable,  but  the  effect  on  the  eye  is  pleas- 
ant. The  water  is  softly  opalescent,  particularly  in  evening  lights,  and  the 
double  line  of  mountains  affords  a  good  frame  for  the  landscape,  while  the 
velvety  carpet  of  vegetation,  which  borders  the  sides  and  backwaters,  is  re- 
deemed from  monotony  by  beautiful  white  and  blue  lilies,  and  occasional 


408  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

flowers  of  more  gorgeous  hues.  Towards  evening  the  mosquitos  came  forth 
in  great  clouds,  and  were  so  numerous  and  venomous  that  in  many  places 
the  whole  native  population  was  seen  marching  down  to  the  lagoons,  where 
they  remained  for  some  time  with  only  their  heads  above  water  to  protect 
themselves  against  their  numerous  tormentors. 

At  Rhino  camp  in  Belgian  Congo,  Colonel  Roosevelt  succeeded  in  find- 
ing and  killing  some  fine  specimens  of  the  now  almost  extinct  white  rhinoc- 
eros. He  shot  three  good  bulls  and  two  cows  beside  a  bull  buffalo  and  other 
smaller  game.  The  naturalists  collected  many  species  of  birds  and  mammals 
and  Kermit  took  excellent  photographs  of  a  living  white  rhinoceros. 

This  enormous  beast  which  was  once  so  numerous  in  South  Africa  and 
south  of  the  Zambesi  river  is  now  almost  extinct.  It  is  the  largest  of  the 
genus.  The  species  obtained  by  our  mighty  hunter  measured  from  twelve 
to  fourteen  feet  in  length  and  from  six  to  six  and  a  half  feet  in  height  at  the 
shoulders.  Their  color  was  slate  gray  with  brownish  tints  on  the  shoulder 
and  haunches.  The  head  is  long  and  slender  and  square  at  the  muzzle,  as 
seen  on  our  excellent  picture  of  this  rare  animal.  The  snout  has  two  horns, 
the  front  one  long  and  sharp,  the  second  short  and  obtuse.  The  length  of  the 
horns  is  from  three  feet  to  four  feet,  six  inches,  and  it  is  the  ambition  of 
every  native  chief  to  have  a  staff  made  from  them.  The  horns  of  the  females 
are  longer  and  more  slender  than  those  of  the  males.  The  ears  are  sharp  and 
pointed,  the  lower  part  closed  like  a  tube,  the  top  adorned  with  a  small  tuft 
of  hair.  The  colonel  found  the  flesh  of  the  white  rhinoceros  more  fat  and 
juicy  than  that  of  the  black,  and  tasting  some  like  beef,  but  with  a  pecul- 
iar flavor.  The  flesh  of  the  calf  is  said  to  be  especially  good,  much  like  ten- 
der veal. 

Our  ex-President,  now  having  satisfied  his  ambition  of  killing  the  white 
rhinoceros  decided  to  give  specimens  of  the  complete  family  to  the  Smith- 
sonian institution.  He  also  donated  two  skins  to  the  American  museum  of 
Natural  History  at  New  York  and  presented  a  head  to  William  T.  Horna- 
day's  collection.  He  declared  that  he  would  not  retain  any  of  the  white 
rhino  trophies  for  himself. 

While  staying  at  Rhino  camp  the  American  hunting  party  had  an  in- 
teresting experience  that  had  not  been  counted  upon.  On  their  second  day  at 
the  camp  a  grass  fire  accidentally  started  and  threatened  to  burn  up  the  whole 
outfit,  which  was  saved  only  by  the  energetic  work  of  all  hands  in  clearing 


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410  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

the  grass  immediately  surrounding  the  camp.  All  members  of  the  party 
were  in  excellent  health  and  delighted  with  their  visit  in  the  Congo. 

From  Rhino  camp  the  party  returned  to  Wadelai  from  whence  a  three 
day's  journey  by  boat  on  the  Upper  Nile  brought  them  to  Nimule,  where 
they  arrived  February  9  on  scheduled  time.  There  the  Colonel  received  his 
mail,  of  which  quite  a  pile  had  accumulated  during  his  three  weeks'  absence 
in  the  wilderness.  He  was  the  recipient  of  a  great  number  of  requests  to 
speak  in  European  cities  but  declined  to  arrange  for  addresses  other  than 
those  already  promised. 

At  Nimule  begin  the  rapids  of  the  Nile,  which  impede  navigation  until 
Gondokoro,  so  that  this  part  of  the  journey  has  to  be  done  on  foot.  These 
rapids  are  a  most  impressive  spectacle.  For  a  short  space  the  whole  volume 
of  the  Nile  is  forced  through  a  channel  cut  in  the  rock,  only  fifteen  to  twenty 
yards  wide,  and  of  unknown  depth,  and  then  leaps  out  into  a  boiling  caldron 
of  foam,  surrounded  by  black  polished  cliffs  and  dense,  dark  vegetation. 
Other,  but  less  remarkable  rapids  succeed,  and  the  river  is  not  free  for  navi- 
gation until  a  few  miles  of  Gondokoro,  where  the  swampy  vegetation  begins. 

The  road  from  Nimule  to  Gondokoro  offered  the  most  trying  experi- 
ences of  their  African  journey  to  the  ex-President  and  the  American  ex- 
pedition. For  ten  days  they  were  isolated  in  a  wilderness  so  forbidding  to 
the  white  man  that  it  has  not  been  invaded  by  the  telegraph  companies,  the 
only  communication  among  its  scattered  villages  being  by  means  of  native 
runners.  The  dangers  of  the  marsh  can  only  be  understood  by  those  familiar 
with  the  route.  Sometimes  they  had  to  scramble  over  rocks  and  sometimes 
wade  through  marshes  or  over-flows ;  often  they  had  to  march  through  grass 
six  or  seven  feet  high,  drenched  wnth  a  cold  clammy  moisture,  which  settles 
on  the  long  stalks  and  defies  the  sun  for  several  hours.  They  also  had  to 
cross  three  deep  and  swift  rivers,  some  wading,  others  being  carried  by  na- 
tive porters,  and  others  ferried  over  on  rafts,  bridges  being  practically  un- 
known in  this  part  of  Africa.  Sometimes  they  were  relieved  by  large,  spread- 
ing trees,  which  offered  a  grateful  shade,  and  when,  as  sometimes  happened, 
these  were  scattered  over  an  open,  grassy  meadow,  the  view  was  restful  and 
attractive. 

The  Colonel  and  Kermit  left  the  expedition's  trail  for  a  day's  hunting 
of  elephant  and  giant  elands  at  Rajof,  on  the  Congo  side  of  the  Bar-el-Jebel 
river.  The  hunters  invaded  the  territory  on  the  special  and  eagerly  accepted 
invitation  of   the   Belgian   authorities.      Save   for   this   departure   from   the 


CLOSING  INCIDENTS.  411 

program  of  travel  the  expedition  would  have  arrived  at  Gondokoro  a  day 
earlier. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  and  Kermit  were  accompanied  in  the  Congo  by  E.  B. 
Haddon,  the  British  district  commissioner  stationed  at  Uganda.  Mr.  Haddon 
met  the  expedition  at  Kiriba  camp,  sixteen  miles  to  the  south  of  Gondokoro. 

February  17,  Colonel  Roosevelt,  Kermit  and  the  other  members  of  the 
Smithsonian  African  scientific  expedition  arrived  at  Gondokoro  in  Sudan. 
All  were  well  and  enthusiastic  over  their  experience  and  the  scientific  results 
of  their  explorations.  The  appearance  of  the  party  was  a  surprise  however, 
for  all,  including  Kermit,  wore  beards,  which  had  been  allowed  to  grow  while 
in  the  jungles  of  Uganda. 

The  entrance  of  the  Americans  in  the  Sudanese  city  was  picturesque 
and  nothing  that  British  and  native  hospitaliy  could  suggest  was  lacking  in 
the  welcome.  The  arrival  of  the  expedition  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town  was 
heralded  with  bugle  blasts  by  Chief  Keriba's  band,  which  was  in  the  van. 
Keriba  accompanied  his  musicians.  As  soon  as  the  nine  runners  in  the  van 
of  the  expedition  had  arrived  the  native  party  had  marched  out  to  meet  the 
hunters  sixteen  miles  to  the  south  and  on  the  way  to  the  town  did  them  all  the 
honor  that  could  be  got  out  of  their  instruments  of  brass  and  Indian  drums. 

Reaching  the  town  the  band  struck  up  "America,"  which,  being  also  the 
British  national  air,  suited  the  occasion.  Belgian  marches  were  interspersed. 
Following  the  musicians  a  native  porter  carried  a  large  American  fllag;  then 
came  the  caravan  proper — Colonel  Roosevelt,  Kermit,  the  other  American 
hunters  and  scientists  and  the  body  of  native  porters,  who  have  had  an  impor- 
tant part  in  the  work  of  exploration. 

Waiting  on  the  Bar-el-Jebel  was  the  launch  of  Gen.  Sir  Reginald  Win- 
gate,  sirdar  of  the  Egyptian  army,  and  from  the  vessel  were  flying  the  stars 
and  stripes.  ]\Ir.  Roosevelt  boarded  the  launch  at  once  and  after  a  brief  rest 
began  the  reading  of  his  mail.     Many  communications  awaited  him. 

A  commodious  brick  house  was  placed  at  his  disposal.  The  day  after 
their  arrival  at  Gondokoro,  Colonel  Roosevelt,  Kermit  and  Edmund  Heller 
left  on  a  steamer  for  a  final  week  of  shooting  along  the  river  bank.  Mean- 
while R.  J.  Cunninghame,  the  field  naturalist,  Maj.  Edgar  A.  Mearns  and  J. 
Alden  Loring  remained  in  Gondokoro  to  pack  the  specimens,  dismiss  the 
porters  and  others  who  had  accompanied  the  Americans  as  helpers  and  wind 
up  the  affairs  of  the  expedition. 

Kermit  Roosevelt  and  Mr.  Loring  won  fame  and  popularity  among  the 


412  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

inhabitants  of  Gondokoro  by  their  brave  actions  and  presence  of  mind  in  an 
attempt  of  preventing  a  threatening  accident.  A  native  had  fallen  into  the 
river  near  the  steamer  occupied  by  Col.  Roosevelt  and  was  drowned.  Kermit 
and  Mr.  Loring  heard  of  the  accident  and  in  an  effort  to  recover  the  body 
both  dived  into  the  water  heedless  of  the  dangers  from  the  numerous  croco- 
diles, whose  scaly  bodies  were  glistening  in  the  tropical  sunshine  along  the 
river  banks,  and  the  swift  current  that  threatened  to  sweep  away  everything 
that  came  wihin  its  reach.  They  escaped  harm,  however,  and  emerged  from 
the  watery  deep  under  the  applause  of  hundreds  of  enthusiastic  spectators. 

The  governor  of  Mongolia,  Belgian  commandant  at  Lado,  and  other 
officials  called  on  Colonel  Roosevelt  in  the  forenoon. 

While  the  Colonel  and  Kermit  were  absent  on  the  shooting  expedi- 
tion along  the  banks  of  Bar-el-Jebel  the  existence  of  the  Roosevelt  party 
terminated  at  noon  February  26,  when,  at  the  sound  of  the  bugle  the  tents 
were  struck.  Then  the  450  porters,  herdmen  and  gun  bearers,  loaded  down 
with  bags  of  flour  and  their  own  personal  belongings,  started  down  the  trail 
for  Kampala. 

They  were  more  than  happy  and  all  sang  the  praises  of  Colonel  Roose- 
velt, not  only  for  his  prowess  as  a  hunter,  but  also  for  his  generosity  to  them. 
They  were  filled  with  delight  at  the  rewards  given  them  which  enabled  them 
to  return  to  their  homes  at  their  leisure  with  plenty  of  collateral  with  which  to 
purchase  some  more  wives.  When  a  member  of  the  American  expedition  in- 
quired of  them  if  they  did  not  think  it  was  wrong  to  have  so  many  wives  they 
laughed  and  one  of  them  said,  "Why  no;  is  it  wrong  to  be  rich?"  To  be 
wealthy  enough  to  support  more  than  one  wife  means  that  he  was  particu- 
larly blessed.    To  be  able  to  afford  six  or  eight  wives  was  a  great  blessing. 

The  picture  was  not  complete  owing  to  the  absence  of  Colonel  Roose- 
velt and  Kermit.  The  other  members  of  the  expedition  were  on  hand,  how- 
ever, and  waved  farewells  to  the  natives  as  they  left. 

For  the  past  two  days  the  camp  had  been  a  busy  place.  The  great  num- 
ber of  traders  who  flocked  thither  from  the  Congo,  expecting  to  get  hold  of 
a  lot  of  valuable  goods  for  absurdly  small  sums,  were  disappointed.  One 
trader  bitterly  denounced  Colonel  Roosevelt  as  "Too  much  of  a  business 
man." 

At  the  roll  call  the  night  before  the  safari  was  dismissed  which  has  been 
a  part  of  the  system  of  military  regulation  insisted  upon  by  Colonel  Roose- 


CLOSING  INCIDENTS.  413 

velt,  twenty-five  of  the  natives  marched  up  and  solemnly  answered  to  their 
names. 

The  sick  report  returned  by  the  Uganda  herdmen  showed  remarkably 
little  illness  and  only  a  few  deaths.  This  was  largely  owing  to  the  unre- 
mitting care  and  vigilance  of  Mr.  Cunninghame. 

As  the  last  man  with  a  sack  of  flour  was  disappearing  over  the  range 
and  the  breeze  brought  back  the  faint  echo  of  the  African  marching  song, 
and  the  little  group  of  white  men  gave  a  cheer,  Dr.  Mearns  swallowing  a 
lump  in  his  throat.  Colonel  Roosevelt  and  Kermit  returned  unexpectedly 
from  their  hunting  expedition  on  the  Belgian  gunboat,  Boch,  all  looking  well. 
They  were  sorry  not  to  have  been  present  at  the  farewell. 

Both  were  enthusiastic  and  Colonel  Rc-osevelt  said  that  he  was  greatly 
pleased  at  the  success  of  his  hunting  expedition  to  Raj  of,  as  they  secured 
the  only  complete  specimens  of  the  giant  eland  ever  taken  out  of  the  Congo 
by  white  men.  The  animals  were  magnificent — as  large  as  Rhinos,  with 
huge,  graceful  spreading  horns,  and  are  truly  the  finest  trophies  to  be  se- 
cured in  Africa.  The  colonel  killed  one  bull  giant  eland  while  Kermit  killed 
a  bull  and  a  cow.  They  had  spent  from  twelve  tO'  fourteen  hours  daily  in  the 
chase. 

Kermit  superintended  the  work  of  preserving  the  skins  of  the  elands, 
which  will  be  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  beautiful  contributions  to  the 
museum  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  which  was  carried  by  the  expedition  was  the 
first  seen  in  the  Congo  since  the  days  of  Stanley.  Many  of  the  natives, 
which  the  Colonel  met,  recalled  him  as  king,  and  asked  whether  the  members 
of  the  party  were  relatives  of  the  great  explorer. 

The  Colonel  said  that  he  would  hunt  no  further  unless  Lake  Wo,  on  the 
lower  reaches  of  the  Nile,  offered  an  easy  opportunity  to  get  some  speci- 
mens of  rare  animals  which  they  had  failed  to  get  so  far.  The  great 
Smithsonian  scientific  expedition  that  was  practically  ended,  and  the  ex- 
President  and  Kermit  were  ready  to  start  on  their  voyage  down  the  Nile. 

The  results  from  the  standpoint  of  the  hunter  and  the  scieutist  have 
exceeded  all  expectations.  Colonel  Roosevelt  and  his  son  Kermit  have  killed 
500  specimens  of  large  mammals.  The  bag  includes  the  following:  Seven- 
teen lions,  eleven  elephants,  ten  buffaloes,  ten  black  rhinoceroses,  nine  white 
rhinoceroses,  nine  hippopotami,  nine  giraffes,  three  leopards,  seven  Chee- 
tahs, three  giant  elands,  three  sables,  one  sita-tungo,  two  bongos.     All  these 


414  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

were  killed  in  the  interest  of  science  and  the  specimens  'were  distributed  ac- 
cordingly, the  majority  going  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  Mr.  Roosevelt 
retained  not  more  than  six  trophies  for  himself. 

The  naturalists  who  followed  the  expedition  obtained  a  remarkable  se- 
lection, including  over  5,000  birds  and  mammals.  The  results  in  this  line 
were  very  gratifying,  and  science  was  enriched  with  several  new  species  and 
a  large  number  of  the  smaller  mammals  of  Africa.  The  game  taken  and  the 
collections  made  constitute  a  world's  record  for  such  a  period  of  hunting  and 
scientific  researsh  in  Africa,  and  the  American  museums  have  received  the 
greatest  collection  of  African  fauna  in  existence.  Too  much  praise  cannot 
be  accorded  to  R.  J.  Cunninghame,  the  Englishman  whose  management  of  the 
expedition  was  declared  as  nearly  perfect  as  could  be  conceived. 

Colonel  Roosevelt  devoted  his  time  during  his  voyage  down  the  Nile  to 
writing,  including  the  preparation  of  addresses  he  later  on  delivered  in  Eu- 
rope. 

The  neighborhood  of  the  Nile,  north  of  Gondokora,  and  especially  be- 
tween Bor  and  Lake  Wo,  through  which  the  Colonel  passed  on  his  way  to 
Khartum — a  voyage  which  it  took  two  weeks  to  accomplish — is  one  of  the 
strangest  and  most  desolate  countries  in  the  world.  The  Bar-El- Jebel  here 
ceases  to  have  banks  at  all,  and  spreads  itself  over  large  marshes,  whose 
extent  is  unknown,  but  amounts  to  many  miles  on  each  side.  As  far  as  can 
be  seen  from  the  river,  the  country  consists  of  a  wooded  plain,  from  which 
occasional  hills  arise.  The  course  of  the  river  is  represented  by  a  narraw 
and  extremely  tortuous  channel,  which  sometimes  widens  out  into  lagoons, 
but  is  generally  confined  between  two  walls  of  dark-green  papyrus.  Like  the 
locust  or  the  potato-bug  in  the  animal  kingdom,  the  papyrus  is  an  appalling  ex- 
ample of  the  power  of  mere  numbers.  Weak  though  the  reed  is  in  istelf,  the 
strength  of  the  host  is  irresistible ;  it  invades,  conquers,  monopolizes,  and,  un- 
like the  locust,  it  does  not  go  away.  You  may  cut  down  a  few  million  stalks 
— millions  and  millions  more  remain,  like  the  spears  of  a  countless  army,  and 
as  soon  as  you  have  cut  down,  re-growth  commences.  It  is  for  the  water 
what  weed  is  for  the  land.  Though  each  separate  plumy  shaft  is  a  beauti- 
ful object,  the  mass  of  vegetation,  when  seen  extending  for  hundreds  of  miles, 
has  no  grace  of  form  or  color,  but  is  merely  a  dull  stretch  of  green,  unrespon- 
sive to  effects  of  light  and  shade.  It  seems  uncongenial  to  animal  life,  at 
least  to  the  more  cheerful   forms.     Crocodiles  and  fishes   abound,   likewise 


CLOSING  INCIDENTS.  415 

mosquitoes  in  clouds ;  but  birds  are  scarce,  and  even  the  hippopotamus,  though 
not  unknown,  appears  not  to  much  hke  these  dreary  surroundings. 

The  last  day  of  February,  Theodore  Roosevelt  and  the  others  of  his 
immediate  party  sailed  on  the  steamer  Dal  for  Khartum.  For  about  four 
hundred  miles  the  steamer  wandered  in  the  above  described  maze  of  papyrus, 
sometimes  actually  going  south,  in  order  to  follow  the  bends  and  twists  of  the 
stream,  but  never  meeting  any  salvent  feature  to  break  the  monotony.  They 
were  pushing  through  the  region  of  the  famous  "sudd",  the  Arabic  name 
(barrier)  given  to  the  masses  of  vegetabl-e  growth  which  obstruct  the  river. 
This  "sudd"  is  caused  by  the  papyrus  and  other  seeds,  the  roots  of  which 
plants  grow  together,  and  unite  with  the  soil  to  form  a  compact  mass.  When, 
as  is  frequently  the  case,  violent  storms  sweep  over  the  swamps,  the  vegeta- 
tion shows  a  mixture  of  strength  and  weakness.  Large  masses  are  torn  off, 
but  they  carry  their  roots  with  them,  and  the  roots  carry  earth  and  mud. 
Sooner  or  later  these  islets  collide,  and  become  piled  on  the  top  of  one  another, 
leaving  the  water  to  force  its  way  as  best  it  can  below  them.  The  river 
thus  becomes  covered  with  a  layer  of  earth  and  vegetable  matter,  ten  or  even 
fifteen  feet  thick.  Sometimes  this  monstrous  growth  entirely  obstructs  navi- 
gation between  Gondokoroand  Khartum,  and  communication  can  be  restored 
only  by  cutting  through  it. 

The  part  of  the  Nile  on  which  the  colonel  was  now  voyaging  is  known 
as  Bar-El-Jebel,  or  the  mountain  river,  a  name  which  suits  well  enough  the 
beautiful  reaches  south  of  Nimule,  but  it  is  not  appropriate  to  the  swamp  just 
described.  At  the  end  of  that  swamp  is  a  lake  called  Wo,  so  overgrown  with 
weeds  that  it  is  hard  to  say  how  large  it  may  be.  Here  the  Bar-El-Jebel  meets 
the  Bar-El-Gazal  coming  from  the  west,  and  the  united  stream,  known  as 
Bar-El-Abyad  or  White  Nile,  turns  sharply  to  the  East,  until,  after  receiving 
the  Sobot,  it  resumes  its  northerly  direction. 

The  party  arrived  at  Mongalla,  March  2,  and  immediately  after  landing 
the  Colonel  performed  the  ceremony  of  planting  a  tree  to  commemorate  his 
visit. 

The  previous  two  days  Colonel  Roosevelt  encountered  a  fore-taste  of  the 
strenuous  hospitality  which  characterized  his  progress  through  the  Soudan 
and  Europe. 

Leaving  Gondokoro  in  the  morning,  he  arrived  at  noon  at  Lady,  an  at- 
tractive station  on  the  Eucalave  section  of  the  Congo  Free  State,  which 
shortly  reverts  to  England. 


416  CLOSING  INCIDENTS. 

At  the  landing  stage  the  strapping  Congolese  soldiers,  under  Command- 
ant Rekke,  formed  a  guard  of  honor  and  escorted  Colonel  Roosevelt  from  the 
steamer,  while  hundreds  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  nearby  villages  following 
in  procession,  anxious  to  see  the  Khaki-shirted  "King  of  Americani," 

Colonel  Roosevelt  was  entertained  at  luncheon  by  the  commandant,  the 
company  numbering  ten  in  all. 

The  Colonel  was  in  his  happiest  mood,  speaking  French  exclusively  and 
keeping  the  company  laughing  with  his  humorous  tales  of  hunting  in  Ameri- 
ca and  Africa. 

He  had  only  a  few  hours  respite  before  reaching  Mongalla,  where  the  re- 
ception was  much  more  elaborate,  as  Colonel  Owen,  Governor  of  the  Prov- 
ince, had  been  for  years  an  admirer  of  Colonel  Roosevelt's  words  and  deeds. 

A  huge  American  flag  flew  from  a  special  flagstaff.  It  fluttered  between 
the  red-crossed  emblem  of  the  Soudan  and  the  Union  Jack  of  Great  Britain. 

After  dinner  at  the  Governor's  residence,  the  guest  of  honor  witnessed 
a  native  dance  arranged  for  his  entertainment.  A  thousand  or  more  native 
warriors  in  wonderful  ostrich  head-dresses  and  with  their  bodies  decorated 
here  and  uncovered  there,  after  the  African  native  mode. 

The  natives  exhausted  their  repertoire  of  dances  for  the  visitor  and  it 
was  the  finest  display  Colonel  Roosevelt  had  seen  in  Africa.  The  party  left 
the  same  day  for  Lake  Wo. 

Colonel  Roosevelt's  proverbial  luck  in  safely  escaping  the  dangers  of  the 
African  climate  was  pathetically  illustrated  during  his  stay  in  Mongalla  in 
the  death  of  Dr.  Prosch,  the  French  missionary  who  was  for  two  years  sta- 
tioned in  Rhodesia,  and  who  was  trekking  home  to  retire  and  end  his  days 
in  peace.  Dr.  Prosch  and  others  were  the  guests  of  Colonel  Roosevelt  at 
luncheon.  The  doctor  seemed  in  excellent  spirits  and  had  a  lengthy  talk 
with  the  ex-President  about  missionary  work,  proving  himself  a  man  of  liberal 
ideas.     Dr.  Prosch  and  Colonel  Roosevelt  expected  to  meet  again  in  Paris. 

Later  Dr.  Prosch  collapsed  and  died  within  a  few  minutes.  At  sunset 
he  was  buried  on  the  very  spot  where  he  died,  bugles  sounding  taps  over  the 
newly-made  grave. 

Within  a  stone's  throw  of  Colonel  Roosevelt's  headquarters  lay  English 
and  Italian  sportsmen  seriously  ill  and  the  district  commissioner  was  down 
with  fever.  All  were  inured  to  the  rigors  of  the  African  climate,  where  they 
had  been  for  years,  yet  Colonel  Roosevelt  escaped  practically  without  a  single 
ill.     In  fact,  he  emerged  from  the  jungles  of  Africa  healthier  than  he  went  in. 


THE   STORY   OF    THE    TIGER. 


417 


tricts.  According  to  the  Government  returns,  it  appears  that  within  a  period 
oi  six  years  no  less  than  4,218  natives  fell  victims  to  tigers,  while  in  the 
Central  Provinces  alone  2-§5  were  killed  during  the  years  1898  and  1899.  In 
regard  to  the  ravages  committed  by  individual  man-eaters,  one  tiger  in  1897, 
1898,  1899,  killed  respectively  twenty-seven,  thirty- four  and  forty-seven  people. 
I  have  known  it  to  attack  a  party,  and  kill  four  or  five  at  a  time.  Once  it  killed 
a  father,  mother  and  three  children ;  and  the  week  before  it  was  shot  it  killed 
seven  people.  It  wandered  over  a  tract  of  twenty  miles,  never  remaining  in 
the  same  spot  two  consecutive  days,  and  was  at  last  killed  by  a  bullet  from  a 


PHOTOGRAPH  OF  YOUNG  TIGERS  SHOT  BY  MR.  SEYMOUR. 


spring-gun  when  returning  to  feed  on  the  body  of  one  of  its  victims.  The 
account  of  the  depredations  of  another  man-eater,  which  infested  the  neigh- 
borhood of  a  station  in  the  Eastern  Himalaya,  states  that  the  animal  "prowled 
about  within  a  circle,  say  of  twenty  miles,  and  that  it  killed  on  an  average  about 
eighty  men  per  annum." 

It  has  been  considered  that  man-eating  tigers,  which  generally  belong  to  the 
female  sex,  were  invariably  animals  unable  to  procure  other  food,  from  the 
effects  of  age.     Although  this  is  true  in  a  very  large  number  of  instances,  it 


418  THE  STORY   OF    THE   TIGER. 

appears  that  tigers  may  take  to  man-eating  from  a  variety  of  other  causes. 
Thus  either  wounds,  excessive  fat,  or  the  fact  of  a  tigress  having  had  to 
bring  up  a  family  of  cubs  where  food  is  scarce,  may  be  the  original  cause  of 
the  adoption  of  this  mode  of  life.  All  man-eaters  were  invariably  at  first  cattle- 
stealers,  which  gradually  became  accustomed  to  the  sight  and  presence  of  man, 
and  thus  lost  their  instinctive  fear  of  the  human  race.  When  once  a  tiger  has 
taken  to  man-eating,  and  has  discovered  how  easily  its  victims  are  killed,  it 
appears  that  it  afterwards  hunts  the  same  kind  of  prey,  although  only 
some  individuals  confine  themselves  to  this  kind  of  food.  Those  tigers  which 
are  entirely  or  mainly  man-eaters  inflict  fearful  havoc  on  the  unfortunate 
natives  among  whom  they  have  taken  up  their  quarters;  an  average  native 
of  India  forming  by  no  means  a  hearty  meal  for  a  tiger. 

All  who'  have  had  to  do  with  them  are  unanimous  as  to  the  extreme  wari- 
ness and  caution  of  man-eaters,  which  from  this  cause  are  the  most  difficult 
to  kill  of  all  tigers.  The  slightest  rustle  or  whisper  on  the  part  of  the  pursuer- 
is  sufficient  to  put  the  man-eater  on  its  guard;  and  it  is  marvelous  how  the 
animal  is  able  to  distinguish  between  an  armed  Europeann  and  an  unarmed 
native. 

The  general  method  of  seizing  its  prey  is  for  the  tiger  to  slink  up  under 
cover  of  bushes  or  long  grass,  ahead  of  the  cattle  in  the  direction  they  are 
feeding,  and  tO'  make  a  rush  at  the  first  cow  or  bullock  that  comes  within  five 
or  six  yards.  The  tiger  does  not  spring  upon  his  prey  in  the  manner  usually 
represented.  Clutching  the  bullock's  fore-quarters  with  his  paws,  one  being 
generally  over  the  shoulder,  he  seizes  the  throat  in  his  jaws  from  underneath, 
and  turns  it  upwards  and  over,  sometimes  springing  to  the  far  side  in  doing 
so,  to  throw  the  bullock  over,  and  give  the  wrench  which  dislocates  its  neck. 
This  is  frequently  done  so  quickly  that  the  tiger,  if  timid,  is  in  retreat  again 
almost  before  the  herdsman  can  turn  round.  Bold  animals  often  kill  several 
head,  unsophisticated  cattle  occasionally  standing  and  staring  at  the  tiger  in 
stupid  astonishment ;  but  herds  that  are  accustomed  to  these  raids  only  enter 
the  jungle  with  extreme  unwillingness.  Occasionally  the  tiger  seizes  his  prey 
by  the  nape  of  the  neck;  the  blow  of  his  paw  will,  however,  stun  even  a  large 
animal ;  and  it  is  quite  possible  that  cattle  may  be  killed  in  this  manner.  Tigers 
will  on  rare  occasions  kill  buffalo  and  gaur,  and  similar  prey,  by  hamstringing 
them,  probably  by  a  blow  with  the  claws.  Such  hamstrung  animals  are  occa- 
sionally met  with,  but  the  exact  method  in  which  it  is  accomplished  remains 
unknown. 

It  is  probable  that  a  cattle-killing  tiger  destroyed  a  victim  about  every 


THE   STORY   OF    THE    TIGER. 


419 


fifth  day ;  three  days  being  employed  in  feasting  on  the  carcass  and  resting  in 
the  intervals,  while  during  the  other  twO'  food  was  not  specially  sought.  This, 
when  we  remember  the  number  of  these  animals  in  certain  parts  of  India,  will 
give  some  idea  of  the  losses  they  occasion.  According  to  a  return  issued  by 
the  Government,  it  appears  that  in  the  Madras  Presidency,  during  the  cjuarter 
ending  31st  December,  1900,  the  number  of  animals  killed  by  tigers  and 
leopards  included  656  bullocks,  752  cows,  236  calves,  135  buffaloes,  105  sheep 
and  103  goats.  In  the  returns  for  all  India  for  one  year,  during  which  1,835 
cattle  were  killed,  the  total  loss  was  set  down  at  a  little  short  of  60,000  head, 


A    T'AMILY    OF    SIBERIAN    TIGERS. 


of  which  20,000  were  assigned  to  tigers,  and  an  equal  number  to  leopards. 
Although  the  man-eating  tiger  is  much  more  dreaded,  the  cattle-lifting  tiger 
is  regarded  with  supreme  indifference  by  the  herdsmen  of  the  districts  it  infests. 
It  is  only  of  late  years  that  the  existence  of  tigers  in  Siberia  has  been 
known.  Heretofore  it  was  supposed  to  be  purely  a  tropical  animal,  but  it 
is  now  found  in  snowy  fields  and  forests  and  the  colds  plateaus  of  Asia.  It 
is  distributed  over  China  to  the  northward  of  Amur  territory  and  Eastern 
Siberia,  and  in  Asia  over  the  Altai  to  Northern  Persia  and  Lake  Aral.  The 
most  powerful  species  is  the  East  Siberian  tiger,  rivaling  the  Royal  Bengal 


420 


THE  STORY   OF    THE   TIGER. 


tiger  in  beauty  of  form.  In  size  and  weight  the  animal  is  not  surpassed  by 
the  latter,  only  the  coloration  is  less  brilliant.  When  the  Siberian  tiger  has 
taken  on  its  winter  fur,  in  which  one  might  bury  the  hand,  and  the  tail 
appears  so  thick  that  it  cannot  be  spanned  by  both  hands,  it  is  looked  upon 
with  feelings  of  astonishment  and  admiration  by  every  hunter  who  has  ever 
beheld  tins  cat-like  giant.  As  the  long  grass  of  the  jungle  harmonizes  with 
the  coat  of  the  Bengal  tiger  and  affords  him  a  hiding  place  from  hunters, 


\m- 


ii™!!l!!l'!''|!||l!ll''i'^'''!|l!l!til!-^!''!^'!!lll!!!ll^^^ 


A    MAN-EATING   TIGER. 


so  do  the  surroundings  of  the  Siberian  tiger  make  it  difBcult  to  see  the  animal 
at  any  great  distance. 

The  home  of  the  Siberian  tiger  is  usually  in  a  cave  of  dull  gray  rocks, 
which  match  the  ground  color  of  its  coat.  It  has  been  less  disturbed  by 
hunters  than  its  Indian  relative,  and  for  that  reason  is  much  bolder  in  the 
presence  of  man  than  the  jungle  tiger. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  JAGUAR. 


Once,  when  in  South  America,  I  witnessed  an  entire  village  thrown  into 
a  state  of  terror  by  a  jaguar.  The  animal  had  been  without  food  for  many 
days,  and  starvation  had  made  it  desperate.  It  descended  upon  the  village 
at  night,  and  while  prowling  around  in  search  of  human  prey  it  entered  a 
church,  the  door  of  which  stood  upon. 

Early  in  the  morning  a  priest  entered  the  building  when  the  gaunt  and 
famished  creature  sprang  upon  him,  killing  him  instantly.  A  second  priest 
who  followed  soon  after  met  the  same  fate,  but  a  third,  warned  by  the  deep 
growls  and  the  horrible  sound  made  by  the  animal  in  crunching  the  bones 
of  his  victims,  made  his  escape  and  gave  the  alarm. 

In  a  few  moments  a  large  force  of  natives  assembled  and  surrounded 
the  church,  but  no  one  dared  to  enter,  for  it  was  impossible  to  locate  the 
position  of  the  beast.  Finally  a  venturesome  hunter  and  myself  climbed 
to  the  top  of  the  building  and  removed  a  portion  of  the  roof.  We  saw 
the  fierce  animal  crouched  over  the  prostrate  body  of  a  priest,  which  was 
so  frightfully  mangled  that  there  was  no  question  the  victim  was  dead.  The 
eyes  of  the  jaguar  were  shining  like  balls  of  green  fire.  The  native  hunter 
and  I  fired  together.  My  bullet  struck  the  murderous  beast  in 'the  right 
eye  and  the  other  shot  hit  him  just  behind  a  fore  leg.  Then  the  natives  rushed 
in  and  vented  their  rage  on  his  dead  carcass. 

431 


422  THE   STORY    OF    THE    JAGUAR. 

This  was  an  unusual  case,  for  the  jaguar  wiU  not  attack  human  beings 
except  when  he  has  been  provoked  or  suffering  the  pangs  of  extreme 
hunger.  It  often  happens  that  the  islands  which  they  usually  inhabit  be- 
come flooded,  and  they  are  forced  to  go  to  the  mainland  to  appease  their 
hunger.  At  such  times  there  is  no  more  dangerous  or  desperate  brute  in 
the  whole  animal  creation. 

The  size  of  the  jaguar  makes  it  a  formidable  enemy,  for  it  is  the  largest 
representative  of  the  cat  family  inhabiting  the  New  World,  being  somewhat 
superior  in  size  to  the  leopard,  and  having  a  relatively  larger  head.  It 
resembles  the  leopard  in  the  ornamentation  of  the  fur,  taking  the  form  of 
large  rosette-like  dark  spots,  enclosing  lighter  centers;  and  likewise  in  the 
circular  form  of  the  pupil  of  the  eye.  The  spots  are,  however,  considerably 
larger  than  in  the  leopard,  the  ring  of  each  being  usually  formed  of  a  number 
of  small  spots,  while  the  light  center  of  each  rosette  contains  one  or  more 
spots.  Moreover,  the  rosettes  are  arranged  in  from  seven  to  eight  rows  on 
each  side  of  the  body.     The  ground  color  of  the  fur  is  a  rich  tan. 

The  total  average  length  of  a  full-grown  male  jaguar  is  about  6  feet  2 
inches,  the  long  bushy  tail  extending  to  2  feet  i  inch,  or  about  a  third 
the  length  over  all.  A  large  example  had  a  total  length  of  6  feet  9  inches, 
of  which  the  tail  occupied  2  feet  2  inches;  while  a  still  larger  specimen  is 
said  to  have  measured  upwards  of  five  feet  from  the  tip  of  the  nose  to  the 
root  of  the  tail. 

The  range  of  the  jaguar  embraces  the  whole  of  the  country  lying  be- 
tween the  north  of  Mexico  and  Texas  and  the  northern  parts  of  Patagonia, 
its  southern  limit  coinciding  approximately  with  the  40th  parallel  of  south 
latitude. 

The  jaguar  is  one  of  the  most  expert  climbers  among  the  larger  cats,  and 
I  have  it  that  in  certain  districts  of  South  America,  where  the  forests  are 
subject  to  inundation,  and  the  trees  stand  so  thickly  that  the  passage  from 
one  to  another  is  perfectly  easy,  the  jaguar  will  sometimes  take  to  a  life  in 
the  trees,  preying  upon  the  troops  of  monkeys  that  inhabit  the  forests. 
There  seems  to  be  no  record  of  its  having  attacked  human  beings  without 
provocation,  except  when  nearly  starrving. 

The  mode  of  killing  its  prey  is  invariable.  Leaping  to  the  back  of  the 
victim,  the  jaguar,  by  a  rapid  movement  of  the  fore-paws,  twists  its  head 
round  and  breaks  its  neck. 

Its  cry,  which  cannot  be  correctly  described  as  a  roar,  is  loud,  deep,  and 
hoarse,  and  has  been  compared  to  a  series  of  repetitions  of  the  syllables, 
pu,  pu,  pu. 


THE    STORY    OP    THE   JAGUAR. 


423 


A  peculiar  animosity  to  the  jaguar  is  displayed  in  the  pampas  by  its  near 
relative  the  puma.  Where  the  two  species  inhabit  the  same  district  they 
are  at  enmity,  the  puma  being  the  persistent  persecutor  of  the  jaguar,  fol- 
lowing and  harassing  it  as  a  tyrant-bird  harasses  an  eagle  or  hawk,  moving 
about  it  with  such  rapidity  as  to  confuse  it,  and,  when  an  opportunity  occurs, 
springing  upon  its  back,  and  inflicting  terrible  wounds  with  teeth  and  claws. 
Jaguars  with   scarred  backs  are   frequently  killed,   and   others,   not  long 


JAGUAR    IN    ITS    NATIVE   FOREST. 


escaped  from  their  tormentors,  have  been  easily  ov^ercome  by  the  hunters. 
This  is  the  more  remarkable  since  the  puma  is  an  animal  of  far  inferior  size 
and  power  to  its  adversary,  although  what  it  lacks  in  power  it  makes  up  in 
agility. 

The  Gauchos  of  South  America  are  in  the  habit  of  capturing  the  jaguar 
with  the  lasso;  and  I  once  witnessed  a  curious  instance  of  how  one  of  these 
fierce  animals  was  absolutely  paralyzed  with  fear,  induced  by  a  party  of 
hunters  who  intended  to  capture  it  in  this  manner.     These  hunters  had 


424  THE   STORY    OF    THE   JAGUAR. 

started  the  jaguar  in  an  outlying  district  of  the  pampas,  and  it  had  taken 
refuge  in  a  dense  clump  of  dry  weeds.  Though  they  could  see  it,  it  was 
impossible  to  throw  the  lasso  over  its  head,  and  after  vainly  trying  to  dis- 
lodge it,  they  at  length  set  fire  to  the  reeds.  Still  it  refused  to  stir,  but  lay 
with  head  erect,  fiercely  glaring  at  them  through  the  fiames.  Finally  it 
disappeared  from  sight  in  the  black  smoke;  and  when  the  fire  had  burnt 
itself  out,  it  was  found  dead  and  charred  in  the  same  spot.  Livingstone 
relates  how  one  of  the  harnessed  antelopes  of  South  Africa  will  lie  close 
among  burning  reeds  until  its  horns  and  hair  are  singed;  both  these  instances 
being  examples  of  the  paralyzing  effects  of  fear,  analogous  to  that  which 
causes  a  wolf  when  caught  in  a  pit  to  lie  perfectly  still,  even  under  the  inflic- 
tion of  severe  blows,  as  if  simulating  death. 

The  jaguar  is  commonly  called  tiger  by  European  residents  of  South 

America. 

Next  to  monkeys,  peccaries  are  a  favorite  article  of  diet  with  the  jaguar, 
but  he  finds  scarcely  less  difficulty  in  picking  up  a  peccary  than  in  knocking 
down  a  ^lonkey.  For  the  little,  active,  sharp^tusked  peccary  is  more  swinishly 
dull  than  is  usual  even  with  its  swinish  relatives,  and,  being  too  thick-headed 
to  understand  danger,  is  a  very  terrible  antagonist  tO'  man  or  beast.  It  seems 
to  care  nothing  for  size,  w^eapons,  or  strength,  but  launches  itself  as  fearlessly 
on  a  jaguar  or  an  armed  man  as  on  a  rabbit  or  a  child.  So',  unless  the  jaguar 
can  quietly  snap  up  a  straggler,  he  has  a  small  chance  with  even  a  small  herd 
of  these  warlike  little  pigs. 

But  it  meets  a  foeman  where  we  should  least  expect  it — in  the  toothless 
ant-eater,  or  ant-lion,  the  Tamanduhuasu.  When  the  fierce  feline  springs  upon 
it,  the  long  muzzled  excavator  throws  itself  on  its  back  to  meet  its  antagonist 
with  the  arms  furnished  by  nature,  and  as"  the  jaguar  descends  the  ant-eater 
closes  upon  its  assailant  with  its  four  terrible  sets  of  claws,  which  tear  to  the 
very  vitals,  and  if  the  jaguar's  teeth  sink  deep  into  the  unprotected  throat  of 
the  Tamandu,  it  purchases  victory  only  with  its  life;  both  perish  together; 
and  the  Tapuyas  Indians  in  Brazil  say  that  they  often  find  the  skeletons  of  the 
two  interlaced,  so  as  tO'  show  how  they  perished. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  YAK. 


On  the  plateau  of  Thibet  I  hunted  the  long-haired  yak  some  years  ago. 
We  reached  the  most  inaccessible  region  of  that  wild  country,  rarely  visited 
by  white  men,  in  the  spring  and  spent  a  part  of  the  summer  there.  During 
that  period  I  frequently  followed  the  yak  and  shot  several  large  specimens 
of  the  animal.  Its  long  hair,  the  longest  on  any  animal,  is  its  chief  distin- 
guishing feature.     Some  of  the  bulls  weighed  1.500  pounds. 

Yak  inhabit  the  plateau  of  Thibet,  probably  extending  northwards  as. far 
as  the  Kuen-Luen  range,  while  eastwards  they  range  into  the  Chinese 
province  of  Kansu,  and  westwards  enter  the  eastern  portions  of  Ladak, 
especially  the  regions  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Chang-Chenmo  valley  and 
the  great  Pangkong  lake.  The  greater  portion  of  the  country  comprised 
within  this  extensive  area  is  desolate  and  dreary  in  the  extreme,  but  yak 
confine  themselves  to  the  wildest  and  most  inaccessible  portions  of  these 
regions,  and  are  found  only  at  great  elevations,  ranging  in  summer  from 
about  fourteen  thousand  to  upwards  of  twenty  thousand  feet,  and  perhaps 
even  more,  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  They  are  at  all  times  extremely 
impatient  of  heat,  and  delight  in  cold. 

Although  so  large  a  beast,  it  thrives  upon  the  coarsest  pasturage,  and 
its  usual  food  consists  of  a  rough  wiry  grass,  which  grows  in  all  the  higher 
valleys  of  Thibet,  up  to  an  elevation  of  nearly  twenty  thousand  feet.  Yak 
seem  to  wander  about  a  good  deal.  In  summer  the  cows  are  generally  to 
be  found  in  herds  varying  in  numbers  frcmi  ten  to  one  hundred;  while  the 

425 


426 


THE   STORY   OF   THE    YAK. 


old  bulls  are  for  the  most  part  solitary  or  in  small  parties  of  three  or  four. 
They  feed  at  night  and  early  in  the  morning,  and  usually  betake  themselves 
to  some  steep  and  barren  hillside  during  the  day,  lying  sometimes  for  hours 
in  the  same  spot.  Old  bulls  in  particular  seem  to  rejoice  in  choosing  a  com- 
manding situation  for  their  resting-place,  and  their  tracks  may  be  found  on 
the  tops  of  the  steepest  hills,  far  above  the  highest  traces  of  vegetation.  The 
yak  is  not  apparently  a  very  sharp-sighted  beast,  but  its  sense  of  smell  is 
extremelv  keen,  and  this  is  the  chief  danger  to  guard  against  in  stalking 


A    WHITE   VA: 


it.  In  the  high  valleys  of  Thibet,  where  so  many  glens  intersect  one  another, 
and  where  the  temperature  is  continually  changing,  the  wind  is  equally 
variable.  It  will  sometimes  shift  to  every  point  of  the  compass  in  the  course 
of  a  few  minutes,  and  the  best-planned  stalk  may  be  utterly  spoiled. 

When  alarmed  or  expecting  danger,  the  cows  and  older  bulls  place  them- 
selves in  the  van  and  on  the  flanks  of  the  herds,  with  the  calves  in  the 
center;  but  on  the  near  approach  of  a  hunter  the  whole  herd  will  take  to 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    YAK. 


427 


flight   at   a   gallop,   with   their   heads   clown  and   their  tails  in  the  air,     A 
wounded  yak,  whether  cow  or  bull,  will  not  infrequently  charge. 

The  most  distinctive  peculiarity  of  the  yak  is  the  mass  of  long  hair  with 
which  the  flanks,  limbs  and  tail  are  clothed,  and  which  makes  the  general 
appearance  of  the  animal  so  very  different  from  that  of  other  oxen.  On 
the  head  and  upper-parts  of  the  body  the  hair  is  short  and  nearly  smooth, 
and  the  long  hair  only  commences  on  the  lower  part  of  the  sides  where  it 


^'^    ^ 


BLACK    AND    WHITE    YAK    OF    THIBET. 


forms  a  fringe  of  great  depth,  extending  forwards  across  the  shoulders  and 
backwards  onto  the  thighs.  On  the  tail  the  long  hair  is  developed  on  the 
lower  half,  where  it  expands  into  an  enormous  tuft  which  does  not  generally 
reach  below  the  hocks.  There  is  also  a  tuft  of  long  hair  on  the  breast.  The 
color  oi  the  hair  is  a  uniform  dark  blackish  brown,  sometimes  tending  to  a 
rusty  tint  on  the  flanks  and  back,  and  with  a  gray  grizzle  on  the  upper  part 


428  THE   STORY    OF   THE    YAK. 

of  the  head  and  neck  in  very  old  individuals.  Around  the  muzzle  there  is  a 
little  white.  We  frequently  find  the  yak  represented  as  a  brown  and  white, 
or  even  a  pure  white  animal,  but  all  such  specimens  are  domesticated,  and 
mostly  hybrid  individuals. 

When  I  visited  a  Thibetan  monastery  I  was  struck  with  the  number  of 
yak-tails  suspended  as  streamers  from  tall  poles  fixed  in  the  ground  before 
the  entrance.  The  more  general  use  of  these  appendages  throughout  the 
East  is,  however,  in  the  form  of  fiy-whisks.  For  this  purpose  pure  white 
tails  are  preferred;  and  they  are  frequently  mounted  with  the  twisted  horn 
of  a  black-buck  as  a  handle.  In  China  yak-tails  dyed  red  are  affixed  to  the 
roofs  of  the  residences  as  pendants. 

Although  the  yak  is  timid  and  runs  away  at  the  approach  of  the  hunter, 
I  had  a  different  experience  with  an  old  blackish  bull  yak  that  I  wounded 
without  killing.  He  charged  at  me  with  his  head  down,  and  was  so  close 
that  I  had  little  chance  to  run.  I  was  in  an  open  space,  and  there  was  not 
a  tree  in  sight.  Fortunately  there  was  a  large  rock  near  by,  and  I  ran 
behind  it.  The  maddened  yak  dashed  against  the  rock  with  such  violence 
that  its  skull  was  fractured  and  it  fell  dead  from  the  terrific  shock. 

There  are  many  domesticated  yaks  in  Central  Asia.  In  some  sections  they 
are  used  at  the  plow,  and  can  also  be  broken  to  ride,  but  they  are  usually  vicious. 
Those  used  for  riding  are  guided  by  the  nose.  In  the  summer  the  wild  yaks 
shrink  from  the  heat  and  make  their  homes  on  the  loftiest  plateaus  of  the 
mountains. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE  MUSK-OX 


As  every  school  boy  knows,  the  toad  has  a  remarkable  power  of  expan- 
sion, which  is  used  in  time  of  danger  to  terrify  the  enemy.  This  is  done  by 
inflation  and  probably  does  deter  the  small  snake  from  attempting  to  swal- 
low the  enlarged  toad.  The  musk-ox  has  a  similar  habit  of  showing  his  ugly 
head  lowered  as  though  about  to  charge  whenever  he  scents  danger,  but  the 
instant  he  is  attacked  he  seeks  safety  in  flight.  The  animal  is  found  only  in 
Arctic  America  and  exhales  a  strong  musky  odor  at  certain  seasons  of  the 
year.  It  is  a  heavy-built,  hut  not  large  creature  with  short  legs,  and  a  very 
lengthy  brown  hair}^-coat,  which  almost  reaches  to  the  ground.  Its  horns 
are  very  similar  in  form  to  those  of  the  Cape  buffalo,  and  in  the  bulls  they 
meet  in  the  middle  line  of  the  forehead.  The  tail  is  very  short,  being  entirely 
hidden  by  the  fur  of  the  haunches. 

The  musk-ox  herd  together  in  bands,  and  generally  frequent  barren 
grounds  during  the  summer  months,  keeping  near  the  rivers,  but  retire  to 
the  woods  in  winter.  They  seem  to  be  less  watchful  than  most  other  wild 
animals,  and  when  grazing  are  not  difficult  to  approach,  provided  the  hunters 
go  against  the  wind.  When  two  or  three  men  get  so  near  a  herd  as  to  fire 
at  them  from  dififerent  points,  these  animals,  instead  of  separating  or  running 
away,  huddle  closer  together,  and  several  are  generally  killed.  The  musk- 
ox  feed  on  the  same  substances  as  the  reindeer;   and  the  prints  of  the  feet 

429 


430 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    MUSK-OX. 


of  these  two  animals  are  so  much  alike,  that  it  requires  the  eye  of  an  experi- 
enced hunter  to  distinguish  them. 

The  musk-ox  is  about  two-thirds  the  size  of  the  American  bison,  but 
from  its  long  coat  of  hair  looks  larger  than  it  really  is.  In  appearance  the 
animal  has  been  compared  to  a  large  hairy  ram ;  and  it  resembles  the  sheep 
in  the  marked  convexity  of  the  profile  of  the  face  and  the  hairy  muzzle. 

The  musk-ox  feeds  on  grass  and  moss  during  one  part  of  the  year,  and 


HEAD    OF    BULL    MUSK-OX. 


on  lichens  during  the  other  part.  Notwithstanding  the  shortness  of  its 
limbs,  it  gallops  with  great  speed,  and  the  facility  with  which  it  climbs  moun- 
tains can  only  be  compared  to  that  of  goats. 

Occasionally  the  Esquimaux  undertake  an  expedition  into  the  interior  for 
the  purpose  of  hunting  the  musk-ox  for  the  sake  of  its  warm  fur,  which  is 
used  either  for  their  own  bedding,  or  as  an  article  of  barter.  The  animals  are 
hunted  by  means  of  dogs,  each  hunter  taking  two  or  three  of  these  animals 


THE    STORY    OF    THE    MUSK-OX. 


431 


with  their  sledge-traces  attached,  and  thus  allowing  himself  to  be  pulled 
along  till  within  a  short  distance  of  the  quarry.  The  difficulty  is  then  to  slip 
the  dogs  at  the  right  moment  without  allowing  their  traces  to  drag  behind 
them,  and  thus  be  liable  to  be  trodden  on  by  the  bayed  musk-oxen;  but 
clever  hunters  obviate  this  by  tying  the  traces  in  a  bundle  on  the  backs  of 
the  dogs  just  before  they  are  slipped.  When  bayed  and  surrounded,  the 
members  of  the  herd  are  shot  down  by  the  score,  the  great  object  being  to 
kill  each  animal  outright,  as  otherwise  there  is  great  danger  of  its  struggles 


MUSK    OXEN    AT    BAY. 


inducing  a  stampede  among  the  herd,  which  would  involve  another  hunt. 
Sometimes,  however,  the  herd,  even  after  having  made  a  bolt,  will  return 
to  the  spot  where  their  comrades  have  fallen.  When  scenting  danger,  the 
musk-oxen  always  retreat  to  some  elevation  near  by,  and  upon  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  they  form  in  a  perfect  line,  their  heads  toward  their  foe;  or, 
if  attacked  at  more  than  one  point,  they  form  a  circle,  their  glaring,  blood- 
shot eyes  restlessly  watching  the  attack;   and  I  think  it  would  go  hard  with 


432  THE    STORY    OF    THE    MUSK-OX. 

the  man  or  beast  who,  under  such  circumstances,  might  come  within  reach 
of  their  broad  horns  or  hard  hoofs. 

One  of  them — the  oldest  of  the  herd — places  himself  in  front,  like  a 
general  at  the  head  of  his  army,  and  advances  cautiously  to  reconnoitre  the 
enemy,  watching  attentively  each  least  movement  on  the  part  of  the  hunters. 
This  survey  being  accomplished,  he  retires  to  his  post,  and  awaits  the 
attack.  Then  it  is  that  this  animal  appears  in  all  his  majestic  beauty,  and, 
when  the  hunter  finds  himself  for  the  first  time  in  his  presence,  he  must 
muster  up  his  courage  and  strengthen  his  nerves. 

But,  although  seemingly  so  terrible,  these  animals,  either  stupid  or  over- 
confident in  their  strength,  allow  the  hunters  to  approach  within  a  short 
distance,  and  then,  at  the  first  gunshot,  the  whole  herd  takes  flight,  aban- 
doning the  dead  and  the  wounded.  I  have  often  seen  five  or  six  hunters 
destroy  a  herd  of  a  score  of  them.  On  one  occasion  only  have  I  seen  one 
of  these  animals  charge;  it  is  true  that  the  poor  beast  had  twelve  bahs  in  his 
body,  and,  being  unable  to  fly,  he  defended  himself  to  the  last  moment. 

Another  time  I  found  them  of  a  different  temper.  Singling  one  of  the 
herd,  I  sent  three  bullets  into  him,  but  the  ox,  instead  of  flight,  turned  on 
me,  followed  by  the  herd,  and  I  owed  my  safety  entirely  to  a  large  fragment 
of  rock,  behind  which  I  took  refuge,  the  animal's  head  coming  in  contact 
with  it  with  a  force  so  prodigious  that  he  was  actually  thrown  upon  his 
haunches. 


-mmwi 


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